Crime in Ipswich: statistics, rates and trends

14,420 crimes were recorded in Ipswich in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,840 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ipswich has the 408th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Ipswich was highest in the year to July 2018 (19,899 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (14,112). 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ipswich 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.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+48%) and robbery (+24%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-18%) and public order (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Ipswich

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ipswich recorded 5,840 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 40.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Ipswich

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ipswich recorded 2,402 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 16.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Ipswich

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ipswich recorded 1,105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Ipswich

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ipswich recorded 1,001 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Ipswich

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ipswich recorded 923 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Ipswich

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ipswich recorded 888 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Ipswich

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ipswich recorded 691 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Ipswich

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ipswich recorded 370 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Ipswich

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ipswich recorded 331 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 4% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Ipswich

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ipswich recorded 311 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Ipswich

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ipswich recorded 188 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 down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Ipswich

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ipswich recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 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

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ipswich recorded 131 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 24% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Ipswich

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ipswich 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 18% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

18 areas within Ipswich, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Alexandra had the highest rate (249.4 per 1,000) and Rushmere St Andrew the lowest (12.7). 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 Ipswich over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ipswich 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 has an estimated population of 150,961. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ipswich sits in decile 4.9, 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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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