West Suffolk Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

West Suffolk’s crime rate in February 2025 stood at 4.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 37.3% deficit compared to the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s relative safety, though a closer look at the breakdown reveals nuances. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 46% of all crimes, with 365 incidents reported—1.9 per 1,000, 19% below the UK average. Shoplifting, another notable category, occurred at a rate of 0.4 per 1,000, 35% below the UK figure, reflecting the area’s lower retail theft rates. These trends align with the local character of West Suffolk, a largely rural district with limited urban centres, where property crimes are less prevalent than in densely populated regions. Seasonal context also plays a role: February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may contribute to the subdued crime profile. However, one category stands out as an anomaly—possession of weapons, at 0.1 per 1,000, is 67% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. While the absolute numbers are small, this discrepancy may signal local enforcement patterns or unreported incidents. The overall rate, though low, is not uniform across crime types, illustrating the complexity of regional crime dynamics.

February 2025 saw stark shifts in crime trends, with theft from the person surging by 350% (from 2 to 9 incidents) and shoplifting rising by 59.2% (49 to 78). These increases contrast with sharp declines in burglary (down 66.2%, from 65 to 22) and vehicle crime (down 51.4%, from 37 to 18). The drop in burglary may reflect seasonal factors, as winter months typically see reduced outdoor activity and fewer opportunities for break-ins. Conversely, the spike in theft from the person could indicate heightened awareness or targeted incidents, though no direct causal link is evident. Possession of weapons fell by 47.4% (from 19 to 10), despite being 67% above the UK average—a figure that remains a local outlier. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour, at 0.2 per 1,000, was 79% below the UK average, a trend consistent with West Suffolk’s rural nature, where community cohesion may mitigate such incidents. For residents, the 350% rise in theft from the person is a clear warning to remain vigilant, particularly in public spaces.

West Suffolk’s crime rate in February 2025 (4.2 per 1,000) was 14.3% lower than the previous month’s rate of 4.9 per 1,000, indicating a downward trajectory. This decline translates to roughly 28 crimes per day—a local figure that contextualises the pace of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 237 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while low, highlights the area’s relative safety. With a population of 188,485, the 794 total crimes equate to a manageable scale, particularly when compared to the UK average. The drop in burglary and vehicle crime may reflect seasonal patterns, as February’s colder weather and shorter daylight hours likely deter outdoor crimes. However, the persistent gap between West Suffolk and the UK average in categories like anti-social behaviour (79% below) and shoplifting (35% below) underscores the area’s distinct socio-economic profile. These figures suggest that while West Suffolk faces unique challenges, its crime profile remains significantly more controlled than national benchmarks.