Crime in Beccles: statistics, rates and trends
652 crimes were recorded in Beccles in the 12 months to July 2026, 63.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Beccles at a glance
- Crime trends in Beccles
- Types of crime in Beccles
- Beccles compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Beccles
- Streets with the most crime in Beccles
- What happened after crimes were reported in Beccles
- Population and deprivation in Beccles
- Questions about crime in Beccles
- About this data
652 crimes were recorded in Beccles in the 12 months to July 2026, 63.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 282 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Beccles has the 899th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Beccles | East Suffolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 652 | 14,380 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 63.5 | 57.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 10,269 | 249,664 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Beccles was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,035 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (652). Over the whole period it fell 30%, 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 | 652 | 63.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 745 | 72.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 764 | 74.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 881 | 85.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 974 | 94.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,035 | 100.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 733 | 71.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 741 | 72.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 931 | 90.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 62 |
| June 2026 | 66 |
| May 2026 | 66 |
| April 2026 | 46 |
| March 2026 | 45 |
| February 2026 | 43 |
| January 2026 | 52 |
| December 2025 | 55 |
| November 2025 | 54 |
| October 2025 | 64 |
| September 2025 | 39 |
| August 2025 | 60 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Beccles 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 falls were in vehicle crime (-72%) and public order (-41%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 282 | 27.5 | 0.80 | -1% |
| Shoplifting | 93 | 9.1 | 1.09 | -25% |
| Other theft | 60 | 5.8 | 0.91 | +9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 56 | 5.5 | 0.36 | -2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 55 | 5.4 | 0.79 | -29% |
| Public order | 29 | 2.8 | 0.43 | -41% |
| Burglary | 28 | 2.7 | 0.77 | -12% |
| Other crime | 20 | 1.9 | 0.92 | +186% |
| Drugs | 11 | 1.1 | 0.33 | +38% |
| Vehicle crime | 7 | 0.7 | 0.14 | -72% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.5 | 0.59 | -44% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.4 | 0.40 | -50% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | -67% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | -80% |
Violence and sexual offences in Beccles
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Beccles recorded 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 43.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Beccles
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Beccles recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 14.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Beccles
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Beccles recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Beccles
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Beccles recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Beccles
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Beccles recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Beccles
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Beccles recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Beccles
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Beccles recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Beccles
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Beccles recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 186% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Beccles
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Beccles recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Beccles
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Beccles recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 72% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Beccles
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Beccles recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Beccles
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Beccles recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Beccles
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Beccles recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Beccles
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Beccles recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 80% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Beccles, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Beccles.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Beccles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungay | 285 | 55.0 | -13% |
| Lowestoft | 6,456 | 90.4 | +42% |
| Halesworth | 300 | 58.8 | -7% |
| Bradwell (Great Yarmouth) | 670 | 55.0 | -13% |
| Gorleston-on-Sea | 2,126 | 89.2 | +40% |
| Harleston | 249 | 46.9 | -26% |
| Poringland | 254 | 36.2 | -43% |
| Great Yarmouth | 6,778 | 227.9 | +259% |
1 areas within Beccles, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Beccles & Worlingham had the highest rate (51.1 per 1,000) and Beccles & Worlingham the lowest (51.1). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beccles & Worlingham | Neighbourhood | 14,770 | 755 | 51.1 |
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 Beccles over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 68 |
| On or near Parking Area | 61 |
| On or near Old Market | 21 |
| On or near George Westwood Way | 19 |
| On or near London Road | 17 |
| On or near New Market | 15 |
| On or near New Road | 15 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 15 |
| On or near Endgate Close | 13 |
| On or near White House Gardens | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Beccles 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 201 | 30.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 184 | 28.2% |
| Under investigation | 80 | 12.3% |
| Not recorded | 56 | 8.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 29 | 4.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 29 | 4.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 27 | 4.1% |
| Local resolution | 18 | 2.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 11 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.8% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 3 | 0.5% |
Beccles has an estimated population of 10,269. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Beccles sits in decile 4.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Beccles |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 30.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.4% |
| Social rented homes | 17.5% |
| Private rented homes | 19.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.7 |
Is Beccles a safe place to live?
Beccles recorded 63.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than 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 Beccles?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (93).
Is crime in Beccles going up or down?
Recorded crime in Beccles was down 12% on the year before: 652 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 745 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Beccles?
Beccles 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 Beccles. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.