Crime Rate in Southwold: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Southwold

The total recorded crimes in Southwold, East Suffolk, UK in May 2025 are around 12 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Southwold crime rate of 14.19 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Southwold, encompassing approximately 845 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (5) incidents (66.67% increase)
  • Public order: (3) incidents (200.00% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (2) incidents (-33.33% decrease)
Southwold Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 2
  • Moyse Avenue with total crimes: 2
  • Sports/Recreation Area with total crimes: 2

How safe is Southwold?

To understand the safety of Southwold, we need to analyze Southwold crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to East Suffolk:

    • In 2024, Southwold demonstrated a lower crime volume than the East Suffolk average, with 180 crimes compared to 564.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Southwold recorded fewer crimes than 24 out of 28 other areas in the East Suffolk.

    • In 2023, Southwold had fewer crimes than the East Suffolk average, with 114 crimes compared to 582. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Southwold recorded fewer crimes than 27 out of 28 other areas in the East Suffolk.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in East Suffolk, Southwold has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Southwold Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Southwold has recorded 12 crimes with crime rate of 14.19 ranking 26th out of 28 in the East Suffolk, UK

In 2024, the total Southwold crimes were 180. The crime rate of Southwold in 2024 was 212.92 (year) or 17.74 (month) ranking it 25 dangerous area in the East Suffolk.

In 2023, the total crimes in Southwold were around 114 crimes with yearly crime rate of 134.85 (year) or 11.24 (month) ranking 28 most dangerous area in the East Suffolk.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Southwold)CrimesRank (Southwold)CrimesRank (Southwold)
Harbour & Normanston185 13,096 13,346 1
Kirkley & Pakefield108 21,479 21,756 2
Beccles & Worlingham70 4933 31,019 3
Martlesham & Purdis Farm70 3786 6781 7
Gunton & St Margarets50 10772 7938 4
Western Felixstowe53 7864 4767 8
Eastern Felixstowe50 9755 8851 5
Bungay & Wainford68 5847 5789 6
Woodbridge55 6552 11390 14
Oulton Broad50 8750 9748 9
Aldeburgh & Leiston40 12607 10611 10
Carlton & Whitton41 11531 12538 11
Kesgrave30 16394 16432 12
Halesworth & Blything37 14406 14407 13
Orwell & Villages37 13451 13383 15
Kessingland33 15402 15369 17
Framlingham26 19318 19372 16
Saxmundham24 21379 17354 18
Carlton Colville29 17330 18344 19
Carlford & Fynn Valley29 18195 23211 21
Wrentham, Wangford & Westleton18 22207 21240 20
Rendlesham & Orford9 28223 20147 26
Melton25 20169 26190 23
Deben14 24199 22208 22
Lothingland16 23191 24160 24
Wickham Market10 2796 29158 25
Kelsale & Yoxford14 25116 28146 27
Rushmere St Andrew8 29127 2795 29

Southwold Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (5 incidents), followed by Public order also remained a significant concern (3 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Burglary were the most frequent (6 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Criminal damage and arson (4 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Burglary (9 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (5 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 10 incidents, and Burglary was another prevalent crime category with 8 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Criminal damage and arson (8 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (7 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 8 incidents, and Other theft was another prevalent crime category with 3 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Burglary (2 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (2 cases).

In October 2024, Criminal damage and arson dominated crime reports (4 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (3 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (11 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Other theft (3 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (7 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (5 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Burglary saw the largest number of reported crimes with 3 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 3 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Criminal damage and arson (8 reports) and Drugs incidents were also notably high (4 cases).

In May 2024, Burglary dominated crime reports (7 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (2 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 20 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
March 20251
February 20252
January 20252
December 20243
November 20241
October 20242
September 20243
August 20241
July 20241
June 20242

A total of 66 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.50 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20253
March 20255
February 202510
January 20257
December 20248
November 20242
October 20243
September 202411
August 20247
July 20241
June 20244

A total of 14 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.56 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20251
March 20252
February 20252
January 20252
October 20241
August 20241
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 42 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.50 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20254
March 20254
February 20253
January 20258
December 20241
October 20244
September 20242
August 20242
July 20243
June 20248
May 20242

A total of 17 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.43 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20253
March 20254
February 20251
October 20241
September 20241
August 20245

A total of 39 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.33 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20256
March 20259
February 20258
January 20251
November 20242
September 20241
July 20243
June 20242
May 20247

A total of 15 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20253
January 20252
December 20242
November 20241
September 20242
August 20241
July 20241
June 20242

A total of 3 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
June 20242

A total of 5 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20251
October 20241
July 20242
May 20241

A total of 1 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20241

A total of 5 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
November 20241
June 20244

A total of 4 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
October 20241
July 20241
June 20242

High Crime Locations Southwold in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Southwold postcode area is presented below.

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
2. Moyse Avenue (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour2
3. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Cautley Road (Map)
Total1
Other theft1
5. St Edmund'S Road (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Cumberland Road (Map)
Total1
Public order1
7. Mount Pleasant (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1
8. Barbrook Green (Map)
Total1
Public order1
9. Rye Terrace (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.