Crime in Babergh: statistics, rates and trends

4,439 crimes were recorded in Babergh in the 12 months to July 2026, 45.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,081 reports (47% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Babergh has the 301st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Babergh was highest in the year to July 2020 (5,629 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (4,404). Over the whole period it fell 19%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Babergh over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+36%) and possession of weapons (+10%).

The largest falls were in burglary (-20%) and theft from the person (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Babergh

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Babergh recorded 2,081 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 46.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Babergh

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Babergh recorded 437 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Babergh

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Babergh recorded 399 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Babergh

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Babergh recorded 314 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Babergh

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Babergh recorded 292 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Babergh

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Babergh recorded 229 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Babergh

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Babergh recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Babergh

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Babergh recorded 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Babergh

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Babergh recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Babergh

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Babergh recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Babergh

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Babergh recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Babergh

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Babergh recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Babergh

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Babergh recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Babergh

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Babergh recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Babergh, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Babergh.

41 areas within Babergh, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Sudbury South East had the highest rate (112.8 per 1,000) and Stratford St Mary the lowest (18.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Babergh over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Babergh over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Babergh has an estimated population of 97,033. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Babergh sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Babergh. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.