Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2025, Bury St Edmunds recorded 306 crimes across its built-up area, maintaining a crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 residents—exactly in line with the UK average. The balance between crime types reveals a significant dominance of violent offences, which accounted for 43.5% of all reported crimes (133 incidents), compared to 30.3% for property crimes (94). This skewed distribution may be influenced by the town’s seasonal rhythm, as September marks the return of students to local universities and the start of the academic year, potentially increasing social interactions in public spaces. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, are 24% above the UK average, a figure that could reflect the area’s mix of historic town centre activity and modern residential zones. Shoplifting and criminal damage also exceeded national averages, with shoplifting at 31% above and criminal damage at 51% above, tied to the retail presence in the town’s high streets. Public order offences, at 48% above the UK average, may be linked to the increased foot traffic during the freshers’ week period. Conversely, categories like anti-social behaviour and burglary are significantly below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour 49% lower, likely due to community-focused policing initiatives in the area. These patterns highlight the combination of local geography and seasonal factors in shaping crime trends, even as the overall rate remains consistent with national benchmarks.

September 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with Other crime surging by 200% (from 2 to 6 cases), the largest increase in the month. This rise, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened awareness or reporting during the back-to-school period. Concurrently, violent crimes rose by 7.3%, with 133 incidents reported—43.5% of the total—marking a stark imbalance against property crimes (94). This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where violent offences account for 24% of the total. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell sharply by 58.3% (12 to 5), a decline likely linked to the start of the academic year reducing commuter traffic and associated theft opportunities. The town’s rate of anti-social behaviour (0.6 per 1,000) is 49% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing in areas with high foot traffic.

Bury St Edmunds maintained a stable crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 residents in September 2025, matching the previous month’s figure. Over 30 days, this equates to roughly 10 crimes per day, a figure that provides context for local residents navigating daily life. The monthly exposure rate—1 reported crime for every 136 residents—suggests that while crime is present, it remains relatively low compared to larger urban centres. This rate aligns with the UK average, though the distribution of crime types differs significantly. For instance, the local rate of violence and sexual offences (3.2 per 1,000) exceeds the UK average by 24%, highlighting a distinct pattern in this built-up area. Conversely, vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) is 75% below the UK average, a contrast likely influenced by the town’s lower density and fewer parking-heavy zones. These comparisons underscore the importance of tailoring local safety measures to the unique characteristics of Bury St Edmunds, rather than applying broad national trends.