Crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk: statistics, rates and trends
346 crimes were recorded in Kessingland, East Suffolk in the 12 months to August 2026, 68.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk at a glance
- Crime trends in Kessingland, East Suffolk
- Types of crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk
- Kessingland, East Suffolk compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kessingland, East Suffolk
- Demographics of Kessingland, East Suffolk
- Questions about crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (122), shoplifting (73) and other theft (45) made up 69% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,312th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Kessingland, East Suffolk | East Suffolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 346 | 14,335 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 68.0 | 57.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -16% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 5,091 | 249,664 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk of any year here (346 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 22%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 346 | 68.0 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 410 | 80.5 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 363 | 71.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 363 | 71.3 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 424 | 83.3 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 415 | 81.5 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 366 | 71.9 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 399 | 78.4 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 443 | 87.0 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 32 |
| July 2026 | 42 |
| June 2026 | 33 |
| May 2026 | 32 |
| April 2026 | 39 |
| March 2026 | 25 |
| February 2026 | 23 |
| January 2026 | 25 |
| December 2025 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 18 |
| October 2025 | 24 |
| September 2025 | 33 |
Compared with England and Wales, Kessingland, East Suffolk recorded notably more shoplifting (70% above the national rate) and other theft (37% above the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (71% below) and violence and sexual offences (30% below). On the year before, shoplifting fell from 115 to 73 and criminal damage and arson fell from 39 to 25.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 122 | 24.0 | 34.2 | +14% |
| Shoplifting | 73 | 14.3 | 8.5 | -37% |
| Other theft | 45 | 8.8 | 6.4 | -15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 25 | 4.9 | 6.7 | -36% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 23 | 4.5 | 15.4 | -18% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 2.9 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Burglary | 12 | 2.4 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Public order | 11 | 2.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 1.2 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Drugs | 5 | 1.0 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
3 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Kessingland, East Suffolk; the highest is Harbour & Normanston (187.7 per 1,000) and the lowest Carlton Colville (35.7).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kessingland, East Suffolk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Colville | 300 | 35.7 | -48% |
| Kirkley & Pakefield | 1,270 | 92.3 | +36% |
| Carlton & Whitton | 484 | 55.7 | -18% |
| Oulton Broad | 680 | 46.5 | -32% |
| Harbour & Normanston | 3,036 | 187.7 | +176% |
| Gunton & St Margarets | 715 | 73.3 | +8% |
| Southwold | 174 | 49.7 | -27% |
| Beccles & Worlingham | 741 | 50.2 | -26% |
The 10 locations below account for 61% of the crime recorded in Kessingland, East Suffolk over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Shopping Area” (103).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 103 |
| On or near London Road | 31 |
| On or near Supermarket | 25 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 9 |
| On or near Roynon Close | 8 |
| On or near Solomon Road | 8 |
| On or near Cliff Farm Lane | 7 |
| On or near Dale End | 7 |
| On or near Francis Road | 7 |
| On or near Lincoln Court | 7 |
Of the 323 crimes in Kessingland, East Suffolk with a recorded outcome, 48% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.5% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 23 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 156 | 48.3% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 75 | 23.2% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 45 | 13.9% | 11.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 5.0% | 1.3% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 8 | 2.5% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 2.5% | 4.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.2% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% | 0.6% |
Kessingland, East Suffolk has an estimated population of 5,091 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (33%, against 19%), more retired residents (37%, against 22%) and fewer students (4.1%, against 7.9%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Kessingland, East Suffolk average decile 3.3 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Kessingland, East Suffolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.5% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 33.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 44.3% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 36.7% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.1% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 19.7% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 24.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 15.2% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.3% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 14.9% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.8% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Kessingland, East Suffolk a safe place to live?
Kessingland, East Suffolk recorded 68.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,312th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were shoplifting and other theft.
What is the most common crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 122 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (73).
Is crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kessingland, East Suffolk was down 16% on the year before: 346 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 410 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Kessingland, East Suffolk?
About 5,091 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 33% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Kessingland, East Suffolk?
Kessingland, East Suffolk is policed by Suffolk.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.