Crime in West Suffolk: statistics, rates and trends

11,384 crimes were recorded in West Suffolk in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.4 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 5,147 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, West Suffolk has the 265th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in West Suffolk was highest in the year to July 2022 (14,427 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (11,384). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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 West Suffolk 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 robbery (+80%) and burglary (+17%).

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

Violence and sexual offences in West Suffolk

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Suffolk recorded 5,147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 45.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in West Suffolk

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Suffolk recorded 1,064 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in West Suffolk

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Suffolk recorded 850 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in West Suffolk

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Suffolk recorded 772 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in West Suffolk

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Suffolk recorded 737 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in West Suffolk

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Suffolk recorded 732 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in West Suffolk

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Suffolk recorded 477 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in West Suffolk

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Suffolk recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in West Suffolk

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Suffolk recorded 380 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in West Suffolk

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Suffolk recorded 366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in West Suffolk

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Suffolk recorded 211 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in West Suffolk

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Suffolk recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in West Suffolk

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Suffolk recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in West Suffolk

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Suffolk recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

64 areas within West Suffolk, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Abbeygate had the highest rate (176.8 per 1,000) and Little Eriswell the lowest (9.7). 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 West Suffolk over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Suffolk 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.

West Suffolk has an estimated population of 188,485. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Suffolk sits in decile 6.2, 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 West Suffolk. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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