West Suffolk Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In June 2023, West Suffolk recorded 1,037 crimes, equating to 5.5 incidents per 1,000 residents—a figure that, for a district of 188,485 people, translates to roughly 11 crimes per 1,000 individuals over the course of the month. This rate is 35.3% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, a disparity that underscores the area’s relatively lower exposure to crime compared to the national picture. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.5% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.8%) and criminal damage and arson (8.0%). These figures align with the seasonal context of June, the start of summer, when increased social activity and longer daylight hours may influence crime patterns. While violent crimes dominate the local crime picture, the area’s rate for this category is 18% below the UK average, suggesting that factors such as community cohesion or effective policing may be contributing to this gap. The lower-than-average rates for property crimes, particularly burglary (69% below UK average) and vehicle crime (79% below), further illustrate a distinct profile compared to more densely populated urban centres. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime highlights the need to address situational factors that may be exacerbated by seasonal changes, such as increased tourism or the start of school holidays.

June saw a 33.3% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 18 to 24 incidents. This jump aligns with the start of summer, when more residents and visitors use cars, potentially increasing opportunities for theft or vandalism. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 30%, with 143 reports—highlighting the impact of longer evenings and increased social activity in public spaces. Conversely, robbery fell by 50%, from four to two incidents, a drop that may reflect heightened police visibility or changes in community engagement. Violence and sexual offences remained 18% below the UK average, with 451 incidents reported. The significant decline in criminal damage and arson (14.4%) contrasts with the rising trend in drugs-related offences, which increased by 29.2%, suggesting shifting priorities among offenders or changes in law enforcement focus.

West Suffolk's crime rate in June 2023 rose 12.7% from the previous month, moving from 4.9 to 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, translates to 35 reported crimes per day on average—a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity in the district. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 182 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the frequency of incidents in a population of 188,485. This rate remains 35.3% below the UK average, but the upward trend suggests seasonal or situational factors may be influencing local patterns. The rise in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, coupled with the decline in robbery, indicates a shifting balance in the types of crime experienced. While the daily crime count provides a snapshot of activity, the monthly exposure metric offers a broader perspective on how often residents encounter crime in their communities.