West Suffolk Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

West Suffolk’s crime rate in July 2024 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 39.3% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure, while modest, reflects a consistent pattern of lower-than-national crime levels observed in the area. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.7% of all reported crimes, followed by public order (10.3%) and other theft (8.9%). These figures suggest a crime profile dominated by interpersonal disputes and minor disorder, rather than property-related offences. The seasonal context of July—characterised by school holidays, tourism peaks, and outdoor festivals—may have influenced the distribution of crimes. For instance, the high proportion of violent crimes could be linked to increased social interactions in public spaces during summer, while the relatively low rates of burglary and vehicle crime may reflect the area’s rural character, where fewer high-value targets exist. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.9 per 1,000, yet West Suffolk’s rate of 2.1 per 1,000 is 26% below this, indicating a potential resilience to violent crime despite the summer season’s typical pressures. This contrast with national trends underscores the need to consider local factors, such as community policing strategies or demographic composition, which may contribute to the area’s lower crime levels.

July 2024 saw a sharp 150% increase in robbery cases, rising from 2 to 5 incidents—a stark contrast to the overall downward trend in crime. This spike, though small in absolute terms, raises questions about potential localized factors, such as increased foot traffic during summer festivals or targeted opportunistic activity. Meanwhile, theft from the person fell by 42.9% (7 to 4), likely reflecting the impact of heightened community vigilance or police presence during peak tourist season. Crime categories like anti-social behaviour and burglary remained significantly below UK averages, with anti-social behaviour at 72% below the national rate. This suggests that West Suffolk’s social and environmental characteristics—possibly including lower population density or community cohesion—may be contributing to these lower rates. The only crime type exceeding the UK average was bicycle theft, which was 11% above the national rate, linked to the area’s cycling infrastructure or seasonal recreational use.

West Suffolk's crime rate in July 2024 fell by 14.3% compared to June, dropping from 6.0 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in the area during summer months. On a daily basis, 31 crimes were reported across the district, reflecting a consistent but low-level presence of criminal activity. Over the course of July, one crime occurred for every 196 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, but the population-scaled perspective highlights the relative safety of the area. However, the distribution of crime types suggests that certain categories—such as violence and public order—remain underrepresented compared to national trends, which may indicate local factors influencing crime patterns.