Suffolk second for lowest levels of recorded crime

Suffolk Constabulary is now second for the lowest levels of recorded crime in the country, according to latest figures.

According to figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) the total recorded crime covering the 12 months to the end of December 2025 show that there were 55.4 crimes per 1000 people*, a decrease of 3.4% compared to the previous 12 months.  The past six consecutive quarters saw Suffolk ranked as the third best county where people are least likely to be victims of crime.

Nationally, there was a reduction in crime of 1.9% for England and Wales.

Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic said: “It is really important to remember first and foremost we are an organisation that puts the victim first, so I offer you my sympathies if you have been the victim of a crime. There is so much more to policing Suffolk than just a set of figures and these statistics won’t mean much if you have been the victim of criminality.

“Ensuring crime victims receive a high standard of support is a priority for us and officers who investigate crime are fully aware of the personal upset, anguish and physical and emotional trauma victims experience.”

Among the crime types that saw declines include theft from a person, public order, burglary, criminal damage, violent offences, vehicle crime and stalking and harassment. Possession of weapons, robbery, knife crime and shoplifting all saw rises.

DCC Vajzovic added: “Crime trends constantly change and fluctuate and we continuously review these and focus our resources where they are needed most. It is vital that victims and witnesses of crime continue to report incidents to us so we can respond as required and ensure we can make best use of officers and police staff.”

“The rise in shoplifting reflects the continuing national trend and our teams frequently run operations to identify, target, and disrupt prolific offenders involved in retail crime through enforcement, investigation, and problem-solving strategies, with the goal of improving community and business confidence.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “This is great news. Suffolk Constabulary will be the envy of forces across the country as the county 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 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 do need to remember we hold his 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.”

The force continues to adopt a proactive, intelligence‑led approach to tackling weapon‑related crime. This includes the use of Clear, Hold, Build methodologies to identify and disrupt individuals involved in carrying offensive weapons. Alongside enforcement activity, the constabulary works closely with partners across education, health and community services to prevent weapon carrying through early intervention, diversion opportunities and targeted education programmes.

The constabulary also has a number of different activities and initiatives targeting knife possession - this includes educational inputs, weeks of action, use of knife amnesty bins and on-going operational work to tackle anti-social behaviour, gangs and violence.

Suffolk police will always take robust and appropriate action against people found to be illegally in possession of a knife and are determined to take positive measures to prevent offences by removing knives and offensive weapons before any harm is caused.  

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

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 – 4^th

Sept 2022 – Sept 2023 – 5th

June 2022 – June 2023 – 6th

Dec 2019 – Dec 2020 – ranked 13th

 % change (Dec 24 – Dec 25):

Theft from person: -28.9%

Non-residential burglary: -18.7%

Public order: -13.5%

Criminal damage/arson: -10.1%

Violence with injury: -2.9%

Violence against the person:  -2.5%

Stalking/harassment:  -2.2%

Residential burglary: -2%

Vehicle offences:  -1.3%

Drug offences: No change

Sexual offences: +0.1%

Shoplifting: +9.9%

Possession of weapons: +12%

Robbery: 15.5%

Knife crime:  +15.8%