West Suffolk Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

West Suffolk's crime profile in October 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by both local characteristics and seasonal dynamics. With a total crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents—32.5% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a consistently lower level of criminal activity compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, accounting for 43.5% of all reported incidents, a proportion significantly higher than the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This suggests a unique local context where interpersonal conflicts and sexual offences may be more prevalent than in other regions. The second most common category, criminal damage and arson, contributes 10.8% of all crimes, a figure 5% below the UK average. This could indicate effective community engagement strategies or a lower incidence of property-related disputes in the area. The third highest category, public order offences, accounts for 7.8% of crimes, a rate 32% below the UK average. This may reflect a combination of local policing efforts and the district's rural character, where public spaces are more open and community interactions are more visible. Seasonal factors such as the transition to darker evenings in October, coupled with Halloween activities, may have influenced the timing and nature of certain crimes. The district's violent crime rate—2.3 per 1,000—was 15% below the UK average, highlighting a relatively safer environment for public safety. However, the sharp rise in theft from the person (+400%) and burglary (+138%) underscores the need for targeted interventions in these specific areas. These patterns suggest a combination of local demographics, geography, and seasonal influences that shape the crime profile in West Suffolk.

October 2023 marked a 400% surge in theft from the person, rising from 2 to 10 incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect heightened awareness or specific local circumstances. Burglary rates also rose sharply by 138%, climbing from 21 to 50 incidents, though this remains below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by nearly half, from 154 to 78 incidents, a decline that may correlate with seasonal factors like shorter evenings or local initiatives. Vehicle crime fell by 39.6%, aligning with the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000 but remaining a concern for residents. The district's violent crime rate—2.3 per 1,000—was 15% below the UK average, suggesting a safer environment for public safety despite the rise in theft from the person. These shifts underscore the need for nuanced analysis of both rising and falling crime categories.

West Suffolk's October 2023 crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents represents a 12.8% decline from September's 6.2 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend observed in recent months. This monthly figure translates to an average of 33 crimes reported each day across the 31-day period, a rate that situates the district within a broader context of manageable daily crime exposure. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 186 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low crime profile of the area compared to the UK average. When scaled to the district's population of 188,485, this equates to a crime rate that remains consistently below national benchmarks, though localized variations in crime distribution suggest that certain areas may experience higher concentrations of specific offence types. The daily crime context provides a tangible measure of activity for residents, while the population-scaled perspective highlights that the overall rate remains stable despite fluctuations in individual categories.