Crime in Leiston: statistics, rates and trends
369 crimes were recorded in Leiston in the 12 months to July 2026, 70.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 23% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Leiston at a glance
- Crime trends in Leiston
- Types of crime in Leiston
- Leiston compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Leiston
- Streets with the most crime in Leiston
- What happened after crimes were reported in Leiston
- Population and deprivation in Leiston
- Questions about crime in Leiston
- About this data
369 crimes were recorded in Leiston in the 12 months to July 2026, 70.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 23% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 203 reports (55% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Leiston has the 778th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Leiston | East Suffolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 369 | 14,380 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 70.8 | 57.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +23% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 5,215 | 249,664 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Leiston was highest in the year to July 2022 (405 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (299). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 369 | 70.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 299 | 57.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 349 | 66.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 401 | 76.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 405 | 77.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 355 | 68.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 366 | 70.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 373 | 71.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 356 | 68.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 35 |
| June 2026 | 52 |
| May 2026 | 36 |
| April 2026 | 27 |
| March 2026 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 28 |
| January 2026 | 27 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 21 |
| October 2025 | 27 |
| September 2025 | 42 |
| August 2025 | 18 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Leiston 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 violence and sexual offences (+23%) and criminal damage and arson (+20%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 203 | 38.9 | 1.14 | +23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 42 | 8.1 | 1.19 | +20% |
| Shoplifting | 24 | 4.6 | 0.56 | +243% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 20 | 3.8 | 0.25 | -20% |
| Other theft | 20 | 3.8 | 0.60 | -9% |
| Public order | 16 | 3.1 | 0.46 | -11% |
| Drugs | 8 | 1.5 | 0.47 | -11% |
| Other crime | 8 | 1.5 | 0.73 | +60% |
| Vehicle crime | 8 | 1.5 | 0.31 | +60% |
| Burglary | 6 | 1.2 | 0.33 | +100% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.2 | 1.18 | +50% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.8 | 0.57 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.4 | 0.47 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 0.23 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Leiston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leiston recorded 203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 55.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Leiston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leiston recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Leiston
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leiston recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 243% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Leiston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leiston recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Leiston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leiston recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Leiston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leiston recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Leiston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leiston recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Leiston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leiston recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Leiston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leiston recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Leiston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leiston recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Leiston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leiston recorded 6 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 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Leiston
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leiston recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Leiston
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leiston recorded 2 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 up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Leiston
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leiston recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Leiston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Leiston.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Leiston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halesworth | 300 | 58.8 | -17% |
| Woodbridge | 412 | 43.1 | -39% |
| Beccles | 652 | 63.5 | -10% |
| Kesgrave | 374 | 23.4 | -67% |
| Bungay | 285 | 55.0 | -22% |
| Harleston | 249 | 46.9 | -34% |
| Felixstowe | 1,389 | 55.4 | -22% |
| Lowestoft | 6,456 | 90.4 | +28% |
1 areas within Leiston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Aldeburgh & Leiston had the highest rate (46.8 per 1,000) and Aldeburgh & Leiston the lowest (46.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldeburgh & Leiston | Neighbourhood | 12,016 | 562 | 46.8 |
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 Leiston over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 38 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 32 |
| On or near Urban Road | 26 |
| On or near Harling Way | 20 |
| On or near Heath View | 16 |
| On or near Westward Ho | 14 |
| On or near High Street | 14 |
| On or near Mandor Mews | 11 |
| On or near Valley Gardens | 10 |
| On or near B1119 | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leiston 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 | 125 | 33.9% |
| Under investigation | 69 | 18.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 59 | 16.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 32 | 8.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 5.7% |
| Not recorded | 20 | 5.4% |
| Local resolution | 18 | 4.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 12 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Leiston has an estimated population of 5,215. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leiston sits in decile 3.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Leiston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.6% |
| Social rented homes | 21.0% |
| Private rented homes | 22.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.7 |
Is Leiston a safe place to live?
Leiston recorded 70.8 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 Leiston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (42).
Is crime in Leiston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Leiston was up 23% on the year before: 369 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 299 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Leiston?
Leiston 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 Leiston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.