Crime in Kirkley & Pakefield: statistics, rates and trends
1,255 crimes were recorded in Kirkley & Pakefield in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kirkley & Pakefield at a glance
- Crime trends in Kirkley & Pakefield
- Types of crime in Kirkley & Pakefield
- Kirkley & Pakefield compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kirkley & Pakefield
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kirkley & Pakefield
- Population and deprivation in Kirkley & Pakefield
- Questions about crime in Kirkley & Pakefield
- About this data
1,255 crimes were recorded in Kirkley & Pakefield in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 561 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kirkley & Pakefield has the 1,458th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kirkley & Pakefield | East Suffolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,255 | 14,380 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 91.2 | 57.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 13,759 | 249,664 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kirkley & Pakefield was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,921 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (1,164). Over the whole period it fell 28%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,255 | 91.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,164 | 84.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,517 | 110.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,767 | 128.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,921 | 139.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,685 | 122.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,575 | 114.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,715 | 124.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,751 | 127.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 135 |
| June 2026 | 156 |
| May 2026 | 120 |
| April 2026 | 96 |
| March 2026 | 119 |
| February 2026 | 89 |
| January 2026 | 92 |
| December 2025 | 81 |
| November 2025 | 87 |
| October 2025 | 90 |
| September 2025 | 97 |
| August 2025 | 93 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kirkley & Pakefield 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 criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+112%) and criminal damage and arson (+23%). The largest falls were in burglary (-30%) and drugs (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 561 | 40.8 | 1.19 | +9% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 165 | 12.0 | 1.77 | +23% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 120 | 8.7 | 0.57 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 76 | 5.5 | 0.67 | -3% |
| Other theft | 70 | 5.1 | 0.80 | -1% |
| Public order | 68 | 4.9 | 0.74 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 53 | 3.9 | 0.78 | +112% |
| Other crime | 31 | 2.3 | 1.07 | -14% |
| Burglary | 30 | 2.2 | 0.62 | -30% |
| Drugs | 26 | 1.9 | 0.58 | -24% |
| Bicycle theft | 21 | 1.5 | 1.85 | +24% |
| Possession of weapons | 17 | 1.2 | 1.27 | +143% |
| Robbery | 13 | 0.9 | 0.70 | +30% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.3 | 0.17 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kirkley & Pakefield
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 561 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 44.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kirkley & Pakefield
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 13.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kirkley & Pakefield
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kirkley & Pakefield
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kirkley & Pakefield
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kirkley & Pakefield
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kirkley & Pakefield
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 112% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kirkley & Pakefield
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kirkley & Pakefield
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kirkley & Pakefield
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 26 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 24% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kirkley & Pakefield
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kirkley & Pakefield
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 143% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kirkley & Pakefield
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 13 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 30% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kirkley & Pakefield
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 4 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 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kirkley & Pakefield, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kirkley & Pakefield.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kirkley & Pakefield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton & Whitton | 474 | 54.5 | -40% |
| Carlton Colville | 289 | 34.3 | -62% |
| Harbour & Normanston | 3,049 | 188.5 | +107% |
| Oulton Broad | 690 | 47.2 | -48% |
| Gunton & St Margarets | 699 | 71.6 | -21% |
| Kessingland | 346 | 68.0 | -25% |
| Lothingland | 172 | 46.6 | -49% |
| Beccles & Worlingham | 755 | 51.1 | -44% |
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 Kirkley & Pakefield over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 104 |
| On or near Parking Area | 101 |
| On or near Mill Road | 47 |
| On or near Parade Road North | 33 |
| On or near Birds Lane | 30 |
| On or near Pier Terrace | 30 |
| On or near Notley Road | 29 |
| On or near Kirkley Rise | 27 |
| On or near Cleveland Road | 26 |
| On or near St John'S Road | 25 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kirkley & Pakefield 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 331 | 26.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 318 | 25.3% |
| Under investigation | 175 | 13.9% |
| Not recorded | 120 | 9.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 92 | 7.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 73 | 5.8% |
| Local resolution | 48 | 3.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 47 | 3.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 29 | 2.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% |
Kirkley & Pakefield has an estimated population of 13,759. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kirkley & Pakefield sits in decile 3.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kirkley & Pakefield |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.5% |
| Private rented homes | 26.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 19.7% |
Is Kirkley & Pakefield a safe place to live?
Kirkley & Pakefield recorded 91.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Kirkley & Pakefield?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 561 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (165).
Is crime in Kirkley & Pakefield going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kirkley & Pakefield was up 8% on the year before: 1,255 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,164 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kirkley & Pakefield?
Kirkley & Pakefield is policed by Suffolk. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Kirkley & Pakefield. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.