Crime Rate in Ipswich: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Ipswich

The total recorded crimes in Ipswich, UK in May 2025 are around 1,218 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Ipswich crime rate of 8.72 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 Ipswich, encompassing approximately 139,643 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (533) incidents (20.59% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (146) incidents (13.18% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (117) incidents (28.57% increase)
Ipswich Crime Hotspots

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

  • Dogs Head Street with total crimes: 19
  • Lattice Avenue with total crimes: 15
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 13

Ipswich Police Info:

Suffolk Constabulary
  • web
  • Telephone: 101

How safe is Ipswich?

To understand the safety of Ipswich, we need to analyze Ipswich crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Ipswich has recorded 14,832 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 106.21 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 119 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 15,696 crimes with a crime rate of 112.40, ranking it 88 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Suffolk:

    • In 2024, Ipswich reported a higher crime volume than the Suffolk average, with 14,832 crimes compared to 10,917. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Ipswich recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Ipswich experienced a greater number of crimes than the Suffolk average, with 15,696 crimes compared to 10,912. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Ipswich recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Ipswich is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Suffolk, Ipswich has a higher crime rate in 2024.

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

Ipswich Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Alexandra (243 crimes), and the safest, Bixley (33 crimes), is 210 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Ipswich.

Similarly, the area of Ipswich Central (243 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Broke Hall (33 crimes), with a difference of 210 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Ipswich.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Alexandra243
Gipping117
Westgate116
Bridge87
St John's79

Safest Wards:

Castle Hill50
Sprites50
St Margaret's46
Rushmere40
Bixley33

Most Dangerous Areas:

Ipswich Central243
Gipping & Chantry Park117
Westgate116
Maidenhall, Stoke & Port87
California79

Safest Areas:

Castle Hill50
Belstead Hills50
Christchurch Park46
Rushmere40
Broke Hall33

Ipswich Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Ipswich has recorded 1,218 crimes with crime rate of 8.72 ranking 122th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Suffolk.

In 2024, the total Ipswich crimes were 14,832. The crime rate of Ipswich in 2024 was 106.21 (year) or 8.85 (month) ranking it 119 danzarous in the UK. Ipswich ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Suffolk.

In 2023, the total crimes in Ipswich were around 15,696 crimes with yearly crime rate of 112.40 (year) or 9.37 (month) ranking 88 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Suffolk, Ipswich ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Ipswich

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Suffolk)CrimesRank (Suffolk)CrimesRank (Suffolk)
Mid Suffolk407 54,778 54,553 5
Babergh376 45,256 45,165 4
West Suffolk964 313,366 212,284 3
East Suffolk1,211 216,355 316,864 2

Ipswich Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (533 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (146 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (442 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (129 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (442 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (134 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 360 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 90 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (438 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (125 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 390 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 97 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (488 reports) and Criminal damage and arson incidents were also notably high (116 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (509 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (121 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (465 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Criminal damage and arson (100 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (523 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (125 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 526 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 121 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 793 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 72.09 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 90 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202572
April 202565
March 202566
February 202563
January 202574
December 202483
November 202490
October 202481
September 202462
August 202469
July 202468

A total of 1262 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 114.73 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 146 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025146
April 2025129
March 2025134
February 202590
January 2025125
December 202495
November 2024107
October 2024101
September 202495
August 2024125
July 2024115

A total of 141 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 12.82 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 20259
March 202513
February 202514
January 202519
December 202417
November 202411
October 202415
September 202411
August 202410
July 202412

A total of 95 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.64 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20255
March 20256
February 20257
January 20259
December 20248
November 202415
October 202413
September 202413
August 20245
July 20247

A total of 104 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 9.45 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20258
March 202511
February 20255
January 20259
December 20244
November 20249
October 202413
September 20248
August 20249
July 202419

A total of 338 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 30.73 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 42 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202526
March 202542
February 202539
January 202524
December 202439
November 202423
October 202434
September 202428
August 202423
July 202433

A total of 315 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 28.64 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202532
March 202524
February 202522
January 202529
December 202431
November 202432
October 202431
September 202432
August 202424
July 202430

A total of 856 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 77.82 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 109 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025101
April 202598
March 202576
February 202556
January 202543
December 202450
November 202475
October 202467
September 202478
August 2024103
July 2024109

A total of 305 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 27.73 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202523
March 202526
February 202522
January 202530
December 202435
November 202428
October 202432
September 202430
August 202429
July 202421

A total of 166 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 15.09 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202519
March 202517
February 202513
January 202515
December 202411
November 202411
October 202420
September 202415
August 202413
July 202415

A total of 749 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 68.09 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 104 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202533
April 202561
March 2025104
February 202565
January 202586
December 202490
November 202451
October 202466
September 202473
August 202476
July 202444

A total of 5116 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 465.09 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 533 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025533
April 2025442
March 2025442
February 2025360
January 2025438
December 2024390
November 2024488
October 2024509
September 2024465
August 2024523
July 2024526

A total of 1115 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 101.36 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 121 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025117
April 202591
March 202584
February 202580
January 202589
December 202497
November 2024116
October 2024121
September 2024100
August 202499
July 2024121

A total of 977 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 88.82 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 118 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202589
April 202577
March 202589
February 202569
January 202576
December 202474
November 202498
October 202495
September 202493
August 202499
July 2024118

High Crime Locations Ipswich in May 2025

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

1. Dogs Head Street (Map)
Total19
Violence and sexual offences8
Possession of weapons4
Shoplifting2
Drugs2
Criminal damage and arson2
Public order1
2. Lattice Avenue (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences13
Public order2
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences7
Shoplifting6
4. Nightclub (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour2
Drugs1
Criminal damage and arson1
5. Lloyds Avenue (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting8
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson2
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting13

  • 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.