Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate

About Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds experiences an overall crime rate of 88.4 per 1,000 people annually, positioning it below the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a safety score of 79 out of 100, which is slightly above the UK average of 78, suggesting a generally safer environment. Over the past year, Bury St Edmunds has seen a positive trend, with its crime rate decreasing by 15.3%. This introduction provides a concise overview of the crime landscape, setting the stage for a more detailed examination of specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with nearby areas.

Crime Type Analysis in Bury St Edmunds

In Bury St Edmunds, an examination of crime types reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most common incidents, accounting for 1,557 crimes, or 37.5 per 1,000 residents, representing 42.4% of all reported offences. Shoplifting is the second most prevalent crime, with 404 incidents (9.7 per 1,000, 11.0% of total), reflecting its status as a commercial hub. Public order offences rank third, with 333 crimes (8.0 per 1000, 9.1% of total).

Considering property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, other theft, shoplifting, vehicle crime, bicycle theft, theft from the person, robbery, and criminal damage and arson, Bury St Edmunds records a rate of 29.5 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crimes include 404 shoplifting incidents, 267 other thefts, 81 vehicle crimes, and 78 burglaries. For residents and homeowners, these statistics highlight the importance of securing retail premises and personal property, particularly given the prevalence of theft-related offences. Proactive measures can help mitigate these risks within the community.

Crime Trends in Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds has experienced a positive crime trend over the last year, with a notable year-over-year decrease of 15.3%. This significant reduction indicates improving safety within the area. Reviewing the monthly trend data shows fluctuations, with crime rates per 1,000 residents reaching higher points in October 2024 (9.5) and March 2025 (7.5), then peaking again in July, August, and September 2025 (all 7.3-7.4). Conversely, lower rates were observed in December 2024 (6.6) and February 2025 (6.2). Despite these monthly variations, the overall trend points towards a sustained reduction in crime. For residents, this decreasing trend is encouraging, suggesting that the area is becoming safer over time and that local initiatives may be having a positive impact on crime prevention.

Understanding Daily Crime Patterns in Bury St Edmunds

Crime patterns in Bury St Edmunds exhibit clear variations throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are primarily characterised by theft-related offences, which account for 53% of crimes during this period, alongside some vehicle crime (8%) and burglary (6%). This suggests that opportunistic thefts are more common as daily activities begin. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) continues to see theft as the dominant crime type at 56%, with burglary rising slightly to 10% and vehicle crime at 3%, indicating continued activity in commercial and public spaces. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), the landscape shifts: theft drops to 25%, while 'Other' crime types (likely including public order and violence) significantly increase to 56%, alongside burglary (10%) and vehicle crime (8%), reflecting heightened social activity. During the night (12am-6am), property crimes become more pronounced, with vehicle crime at 25% and burglary at 14%, alongside 14% theft and 47% 'Other' crimes, suggesting a focus on unattended properties under the cover of darkness.

Regional Crime Comparison

To provide a local context, Bury St Edmunds can be compared to several nearby areas. While specific crime statistics for these localities are not detailed here, Bury St Edmunds' overall crime rate of 88.4 per 1,000 and safety score of 79/100 serve as a useful benchmark. Neighbouring Fornham All Saints, Fornham St Martin, Horringer, and Great Barton are generally smaller, more residential or rural settlements. It is common for larger built-up areas like Bury St Edmunds, with their greater population density and commercial activity, to experience different crime profiles compared to their immediate smaller neighbours, often including higher rates of shoplifting or public order offences due to increased footfall and nightlife. This comparison helps residents understand Bury St Edmunds' crime position within its immediate regional setting.

Protecting Your Property in Bury St Edmunds

With a property crime rate of 29.5 per 1,000 in Bury St Edmunds, it is vital for residents to consider robust security measures. While traditional CCTV systems offer valuable footage after an incident, they do not actively prevent crime. If you are serious about proactive protection, consider advanced solutions designed to deter threats before they escalate.

An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS provides truly proactive protection by detecting threats at the property boundary, rather than after a break-in. Unlike reactive DIY cameras, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence continuously monitors all angles, never missing a moment. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles with fake plates, and its pattern learning capabilities distinguish between family routines and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. Upon detection, scOS can activate deterrents like lights and speakers, immediately destroying the element of surprise for potential intruders. The right security system makes that crucial 60-second decision easy for burglars – they move on to an easier target. This professional-grade deterrence offers a significant advantage over systems that merely record a crime in progress.