West Suffolk Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

West Suffolk's crime profile in April 2024 reveals a combination of stability and emerging concerns. The overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents places the area 33.8% below the UK average, a significant achievement that reflects the effectiveness of local policing and community initiatives. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 41.6% of all reported incidents, with 402 cases recorded. This category, while substantial, remains 18% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The prominence of violent crime in West Suffolk is consistent with its status as a largely rural district with a mix of small towns and villages, where interpersonal conflicts and alcohol-related incidents may contribute to such figures. Public order offences, at 8.3% of the total, and other theft, at 8.2%, followed closely, illustrating the ongoing challenge of managing community safety in areas with high foot traffic and social interaction. Seasonal factors in April—such as the Easter holiday period and spring weather—likely influenced the volume of outdoor activity, which may have impacted both property and violent crime rates. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime (3.5% of total) and burglary (3.9% of total) suggest that the area's rural character, with fewer densely populated zones, contributes to its lower exposure to these categories compared to urban centres. However, the sharp increase in bicycle theft—rising by 50% from the previous month—signals a specific vulnerability that warrants attention, particularly as the Easter period may have brought more cyclists to the area. This uptick could be attributed to the increased use of bicycles for both recreation and commuting during the spring months. Overall, the data illustrates a district that is generally safer than the UK average but requires targeted efforts to address emerging issues like bicycle theft and drug-related activity.

April 2024 saw a 50% increase in bicycle theft, with incidents rising from four to six. This sharp rise may be linked to the Easter holiday period, when increased outdoor activity and travel could have created more opportunities for theft. Concurrently, drug-related offences rose by 25%, from 24 to 30 incidents, a trend that could reflect seasonal shifts in illicit activity. Possession of weapons also increased by 20%, from 10 to 12 cases, though this remains a relatively rare category. Violent crimes remained 18% below the UK average at 2.1 per 1,000, with 402 incidents recorded. This contrast with the national picture underscores West Suffolk's generally lower levels of violent crime. Residents should be particularly alert to the surge in bicycle theft, as this is the most significant upward trend in the month's data.

West Suffolk's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, a 7.2% decline from the previous month's 5.5 per 1,000. This downward trend suggests sustained improvements in local safety, though residents should remain vigilant where specific crime types have risen. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 32 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the scale of activity in a region with 188,485 residents. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for every 195 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than many UK areas. This statistic is particularly meaningful for households and businesses, as it reflects the relative safety of the district compared to national averages. The reduction in overall crime, coupled with the absence of significant spikes in violent or property crimes, reinforces the area's position as one of the UK's safer local authority districts.