Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bury St Edmunds' crime rate in October 2024 stood at 9.5 per 1,000 residents, 17.3% above the UK average of 8.1. This disparity is most starkly evident in the category of violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 42.5% of all reported crimes—4.0 per 1,000 residents, 50% above the UK average. This outlier suggests a localised challenge in managing interpersonal crime, potentially influenced by the town's character as a historic market town with a mix of tourist attractions, retail hubs, and residential areas. The prominence of violence and sexual offences may reflect seasonal factors, such as the transition into darker evenings and the proximity of Halloween, which can heighten social interactions in public spaces. Shoplifting, at 1.7 per 1,000 (18.2% of total crimes), was 136% above the UK average, likely tied to the town's retail presence and the increased footfall during October. Public order offences also rose significantly, at 43% above the UK average, linked to the same seasonal dynamics. The crime profile contrasts with lower rates in categories such as anti-social behaviour (46% below UK average) and burglary (39% below UK average), which may reflect the town's relatively low density and strong community policing efforts. Seasonal context—darker evenings, clock changes, and Halloween—adds complexity, as these factors can influence both criminal activity and police visibility. While the overall rate remains lower than many major urban centres, the specific spikes in violent and property crimes warrant closer attention to local trends and targeted interventions.

October 2024 saw a sharp increase in shoplifting, rising from 35 to 72 incidents—a 105.7% month-on-month jump. This surge, which places the category 136% above the UK average, may be linked to seasonal retail activity and Halloween-related disturbances. Bicycle theft also spiked by 133.3%, jumping from 3 to 7 cases, a trend that could reflect increased cycling during autumn or vulnerabilities in local storage practices. In contrast, vehicle crime fell by 42.9% (7 to 4), due to reduced outdoor activity as evenings darkened. Possession of weapons rose 300% (1 to 4), a stark outlier that may reflect targeted enforcement or shifts in local crime dynamics. The breakdown of crime types reveals a striking imbalance: 42.5% of all incidents were violence and sexual offences, a category that is 50% above the UK average. This suggests a significant local challenge in addressing interpersonal crime, tied to social patterns or policing focus. For residents, the 13 daily crimes recorded in October provide a concrete reference point for understanding local crime frequency.

Bury St Edmunds' crime rate in October 2024 rose to 9.5 per 1,000 residents, a 20.4% increase from 7.9 per 1,000 in September. This shift places the area 17.3% above the UK average, highlighting a growing divergence from national trends. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly 13 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may feel more pronounced in a built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial zones. Over the course of October, one crime occurred for every 105 residents, a monthly exposure rate that translates to a 1-in-105 chance of being directly affected by crime. This statistic, while not uncommon for a mid-sized town, underscores the need for continued community engagement and local policing efforts. The population context—41,577 residents—means that crime impacts a significant portion of the community, though the rate remains lower than many larger urban centres. The shift from September to October suggests seasonal factors, such as darker evenings and Halloween, may have contributed to increased incidents, though this remains a plausible rather than definitive explanation.