Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 41,577 residents, 253 crimes were reported in Bury St Edmunds during February 2026. This equates to one crime for every 164 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of activity within the town’s built-up area. The overall crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents places the area 4.7% below the UK average of 6.4, a slight but consistent advantage that may reflect local policing strategies or community engagement efforts. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, making up nearly half (49%) of all incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (9.1%) and shoplifting (8.7%). These patterns align with Bury St Edmunds’ character as a historic market town with a mix of retail hubs and residential areas, where public spaces may see higher concentrations of interpersonal disputes and property-related incidents. February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may have contributed to a quieter crime environment compared to peak tourist seasons or summer months. However, the dominance of violent crime suggests that local factors—such as social dynamics in public spaces or seasonal transitions—could play a role, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this.

February 2026 saw sharp increases in several crime categories, most 'other crime', which surged by 600% (from 1 to 7 incidents), and burglary, which rose 350% (from 2 to 9). Vehicle crime also jumped by 125% (from 4 to 9), potentially reflecting seasonal shifts in parking patterns or increased vehicle usage during colder weather. Conversely, robbery fell by 80% (from 5 to 1), and other theft dropped by 53.8% (from 26 to 12), indicating a possible reduction in opportunistic crimes during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained high, with a rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents—29% above the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends may be linked to the area’s compact built-up environment, where interactions in public spaces are more frequent. Meanwhile, shoplifting fared better than the UK average, with a rate of 0.5 per 1,000 compared to 0.6 nationally, suggesting effective retail security measures or a lower incidence of petty theft in this market town. For residents, the 125% rise in vehicle crime highlights a need for increased vigilance in car parks and driveways during the winter months.

The crime rate in February 2026 (6.1 per 1,000) marked a 14.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.1, reflecting a downward trend that may be influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 9 crimes per day, a figure that, while relatively low, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in a community of 41,577 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 164 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, while modest, illustrates the ongoing need for community vigilance. When scaled to the population, this rate places Bury St Edmunds in a slightly safer position relative to the UK average, though the localised spikes in certain crime categories suggest that targeted interventions could still yield benefits. The comparison to the previous month also highlights the volatility of crime patterns, with the sharp rise in burglary and vehicle crime indicating that specific issues—linked to seasonal transitions or local events—may require closer examination. For residents, these figures offer a nuanced picture of a town that, while generally safer than the national average, still faces challenges in managing particular types of crime.