Crime in Ipswich district: statistics, rates and trends

13,997 crimes were recorded in Ipswich district in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,693 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Ipswich district has the 100th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Ipswich district was highest in the year to July 2019 (19,217 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (13,583). Over the whole period it fell 26%, 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 Ipswich district 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. Rates were well above the national level for shoplifting, possession of weapons, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+53%) and robbery (+22%). The largest falls were in public order (-17%) and theft from the person (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Ipswich district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ipswich district recorded 5,693 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 40.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Ipswich district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ipswich district recorded 2,303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 16.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Ipswich district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ipswich district recorded 1,083 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Ipswich district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ipswich district recorded 948 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Ipswich district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ipswich district recorded 898 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Ipswich district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ipswich district recorded 852 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Ipswich district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ipswich district recorded 672 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Ipswich district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ipswich district recorded 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Ipswich district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ipswich district recorded 323 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Ipswich district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ipswich district recorded 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Ipswich district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ipswich district recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Ipswich district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ipswich district recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Ipswich district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ipswich district recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Ipswich district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ipswich district recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Ipswich district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Alexandra had the highest rate (249.4 per 1,000) and Bixley the lowest (44.9). 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 Ipswich district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ipswich district 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.

Ipswich district has an estimated population of 140,274. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ipswich district sits in decile 4.7, 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 Ipswich district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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