Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate

Bury St Edmunds is a historic market town with an overall crime rate of 85.3 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 91.7. The town has a safety score of 79/100, matching the national average. One of the most encouraging aspects of the local data is the recent trend direction; crime in Bury St Edmunds has decreased by a significant 18.4% over the last year. This sharp decline suggests that the town is becoming notably safer for its residents. While urban areas naturally have higher activity than rural surroundings, these figures position Bury St Edmunds as a relatively secure and improving community within the West Suffolk region.

Crime in Bury St Edmunds

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Bury St Edmunds, accounting for 43.0% of all incidents (1,523 cases). Shoplifting is the second most common at 10.2%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.8%. These figures highlight that personal safety and retail theft are the primary areas of concern for local law enforcement.

Property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—occurs at a rate of 28.0 per 1,000 people. While shoplifting is a significant part of this, residential concerns like burglary (2.2%) and vehicle crime (2.5%) are relatively low. For homeowners, this means that while the town is generally safe, there is a persistent level of opportunistic theft and property damage. Maintaining visible security measures is a sensible precaution to ensure your property does not become a target for these less frequent but still impactful offences.

Bury St Edmunds is experiencing a very positive trend in public safety, with a significant 18.4% decrease in total crime year-over-year. This downward movement is reflected in the monthly data, which remained relatively stable throughout 2025. After starting at 6.6 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, the rate peaked slightly at 7.7 in January before settling into a consistent range between 6.2 and 7.5 for the remainder of the year.

This lack of major spikes, even during the summer months, suggests that local crime prevention measures are effectively maintaining a lower baseline. For residents, this trend provides significant reassurance that the town is becoming safer. The consistent monthly figures indicate a predictable environment for law enforcement, and the double-digit percentage drop over the year marks Bury St Edmunds as an area where safety is actively improving. Continued vigilance and community engagement will be key to sustaining this downward trajectory.

How To Keep Safe in Bury St Edmunds

With violence and sexual offences being the most reported crime type in Bury St Edmunds, personal safety should be a priority for everyone in the town. Although the overall crime rate is decreasing, staying vigilant is key to maintaining personal security.

When walking through the town centre, particularly during the evening or after dark, stick to well-lit, busy streets and avoid isolated areas like unlit park paths. If you are using the town's pubs and restaurants, try to stay with a group and always plan your journey home in advance. Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding distractions like mobile phones can also make you less of a target.

For those concerned about property, ensure that all ground-floor windows and doors are securely locked before leaving the house or going to bed. Since shoplifting is also prevalent, business owners should consider enhanced retail security measures. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch group can also provide you with valuable updates and a sense of community support, helping to keep Bury St Edmunds safe for everyone.

Crime in Bury St Edmunds follows distinct temporal patterns. Morning hours are heavily dominated by theft-related offences (51%), likely coinciding with the opening of town centre shops. As the day progresses into the afternoon, theft remains high at 54%. However, the evening and night hours see a shift in crime types. During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences—rise to 55% of the total. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which spikes to 28% of all reported incidents during these hours. Burglary also reaches its highest frequency at night, accounting for 15% of crimes. These patterns suggest that while commercial areas are most active during the day, residential and vehicle security become much more critical after dark.

Bury St Edmunds serves as the primary urban centre for the immediate area, and its crime rate of 85.3 reflects this. In comparison, nearby smaller settlements like Fornham All Saints and Horringer report crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000, while Fornham St Martin (14.7) and Great Barton (16.5) also show much lower levels of activity. This is a typical pattern where the main town attracts more commercial and social activity, leading to higher reported figures than its quiet residential neighbours. For those considering the region, Bury St Edmunds offers more amenities but with the trade-off of a more active crime environment compared to the surrounding villages.

In Bury St Edmunds, property crime occurs at a rate of 28.0 per 1,000 people, making home security a relevant concern for residents. While the town is generally safe, the psychological and financial impact of theft or burglary is significant. Traditional security systems often fail because they are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it.

By adopting scOS, homeowners can move to a proactive model of protection. This AI-powered system monitors your property's perimeter, using advanced intelligence to distinguish between a delivery person and a potential threat. If an intruder is detected, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—to deter them before they ever reach your door. In an area where vehicle crime and burglary peak at night, the ability of scOS to verify vehicle plates and monitor multiple cameras simultaneously provides a level of security that traditional CCTV simply cannot match. Investing in proactive prevention is the best way to ensure your home remains a safe haven in Bury St Edmunds.