Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 saw Bury St Edmunds register a crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 20% above the UK average of 7.5. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.4% of all reported incidents—47% above the UK average for this category. Shoplifting followed closely, contributing 12.8% of total crimes, nearly double the UK average. The data suggests that the area’s retail sector and high street activity may contribute to these patterns, particularly around Black Friday shopping. Public order offences also rose significantly, with 11.2% of crimes falling into this category, 89% above the national average. This could be partly explained by the darker evenings and increased foot traffic during the month. Anti-social behaviour rates were 43% below the UK average, reflecting community efforts or lower population density in certain areas. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night and the pre-Christmas shopping rush—likely influenced some crime trends, though the precise impact requires further analysis. The overall crime rate, while higher than the national average, shows a marked contrast with the relatively low burglary rate (1.6% below UK average), which may indicate effective local security measures or a lower concentration of residential properties vulnerable to theft.

The month-on-month changes in November 2023 revealed both concerning and encouraging trends. Vehicle crime decreased by 60% compared to the previous month, dropping from 10 to 4 incidents. This sharp decline may be attributed to heightened awareness during the darker evenings or increased police patrols in key areas. Burglary also fell by 45.5%, from 11 to 6 cases, suggesting that targeted initiatives or seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic in residential zones may have played a role. Conversely, public order offences surged by 90.9%, rising from 22 to 42 incidents—a significant increase that could be linked to the heightened activity around Bonfire Night or the early onset of winter. Other crime saw a 100% increase, from 2 to 4 cases, though the nature of these incidents remains unclear. Bicycle theft rose by 25%, from 4 to 5, reflecting the start of the Christmas shopping season and increased use of bikes for short trips. The rate of anti-social behaviour remained 43% below the UK average, highlighting a local strength in community engagement or policing strategies. The data also shows that violence and sexual offences, at 3.8 per 1,000, remain high compared to the national average, a concern that warrants continued attention from local authorities.

Bury St Edmunds’ crime rate in November 2023 (9.0 per 1,000) marked a 2.2% increase from the previous month’s rate of 8.8 per 1,000. This small but notable rise is contextualised by the daily crime count, which averaged 12 incidents per day over the month. For residents, this translates to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 111 people, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for vigilance. Comparing this to the UK average, the area’s rate remains 20% above the national benchmark, though this gap has not widened significantly over the past year. The population context is also critical: with 41,577 residents, the absolute number of crimes (375) is relatively low compared to larger urban centres but higher than many rural areas. This suggests a middle ground between densely populated cities and sparsely inhabited regions, where localised factors—such as the town’s historic character and tourist appeal—may influence crime patterns. The comparison also highlights the disparity in specific crime types: while violent crime remains elevated, categories like burglary and vehicle crime are below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area’s lower density and stronger community cohesion. Residents and local officials must balance these figures with broader social and economic trends to develop targeted strategies for the coming months.