Figures reflect that downward trend in recorded crime continues

Suffolk Constabulary remains in the top two counties with the lowest levels of recorded crime.

The data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) covering the 12 months to the end of March 2026, shows there were 56.1 recorded crimes per 1,000 people in Suffolk – a reduction of 1% compared with the previous 12-month period. The county has now been ranked in the top three for lowest recorded crime in England and Wales for the past eight consecutive quarters.

Recorded offences fell in a number of areas, including burglary, theft, public order offences, drug offences and criminal damage. While some crime types increased, including shoplifting, sexual offences, robbery and possession of weapons, these are areas where we have placed significant operational focus.

The force actively encourages reporting, supporting victims to come forward and using targeted operations to identify and tackle crime and harm.

T/DCC Alice Scott said: “While crime statistics are an important measure of performance, they do not tell the whole story. Behind every crime report is a victim, family or community looking to us for support. Delivering high quality investigations with professionalism, compassion and care must remain at the heart of everything we do.

“Increases in some areas can reflect both greater public confidence in reporting and our proactive approach to addressing offending and protecting communities. It’s also important to state crime patterns are constantly evolving, and we continually monitor trends to ensure resources are focused where they are needed most.

“The rise in possession of weapon offences is largely a reflection of proactive policing, including using specially trained officers to identify and stop those suspected of carrying weapons, rather than an increase in people carrying weapons. Through various operations, officers are using intelligence to target known hotspots and individuals most likely to be involved in knife crime.

“As a result, more weapons are being seized before they can be used to cause harm, helping us make Suffolk's communities safer. We will also keep up our work to educate people on the dangers of carrying a weapon, in particular going out and talking to our younger residents.”

“These results reinforce Suffolk's reputation as one of the safest counties in the country and demonstrate the value of the strong partnerships we have with communities and our partners. They reflect our shared determination to prevent harm, solve crime and bring offenders to justice, while continuing to improve the service we provide to the public.

“We don’t take the public trust and confidence lightly and we continue to work diligently to the benefit of our communities.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “This is great news for Suffolk Constabulary and for the communities we serve.

“I am sure we will be the envy of forces across the country as Suffolk remains one of the safest places in which to live, work, travel and invest.

“To be ranked second for the lowest levels of recorded crime in England and Wales for the second consecutive quarter is a tremendous achievement and I’d like to thank officers, staff and volunteers for their unstinting commitment to maintain this favourable position.

“Suffolk Constabulary is a good force, and we hold this impressive position as one of the lowest-funded forces in the country. Suffolk continues to punch well above its weight in the national arena, and we should all be reassured by this.”

He added, “I will continue to hold the Constabulary to account and closely monitor the areas that have increased since the last survey. I know there has been a targeted operational focus to combat these areas of crime but it is important that I do, on behalf of Suffolk communities, monitor the constabulary’s progress in these areas.

“We must celebrate our successes, but we will never be complacent.”

Suffolk’s national ranking for lowest levels of recorded crime:

Mar 2025 – Mar 2026 – 2nd

Dec 2024 – Dec 2025 – 2nd

Sept 2024 – Sept 2025 – 3rd

June 2024 – June 2025 – 3rd

March 2024 – March 2025 – 3rd

Dec 2023 – Dec 2024 – 3rd

Sept 2023 – Sept 2024 – 3rd

June 2023 – June 2024 – 3rd

March 2023 – March 2024 – 4th

Dec 2022 – Dec 2023 – 4th

Sept 2022 – Sept 2023 – 5th

June 2022 – June 2023 – 6th

Dec 2019 – Dec 2020 – ranked 13th

% change (Mar 25 – Mar 26):

Theft from person: - 18.5%

Public order: -13.3%

Burglary: -7.8%

Drugs: -4.3%

Criminal damage/arson: -5.5%

Violence with injury: -0.9%

Vehicle offences: -0.1%

Violence against the person:  +0.5%

Stalking/harassment:  +2.2%

Sexual offences: +5.8%

Shoplifting: +11/8%

Possession of weapons: +15.4%

Robbery: +23%

Knife crime: +34.1%