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# Reports of anti-social behaviour hit record low in Suffolk
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/reports-of-anti-social-behaviour-hit-record-low-in-suffolk/
- Published: 2024-10-21T09:21:22.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:32:36.000Z
- Description: Charities are worried that many people are no longer reporting incidents of antisocial behaviour, as Suffolk records the lowest number of reported offences since records began in 2007.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Policing, Crime, #article, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**The big picture:** Suffolk has seen a significant drop in reported anti-social behaviour incidents, but charities warn this may not reflect reality:

- Reported incidents fell to 6,554 in the year to March, down 16% from the previous year.
- This equates to 9 incidents per 1,000 people in Suffolk.
- The figure is 37% lower than in 2020-21, which saw a spike in offences nationally.

**Why it matters:** Victim Support suggests many people feel they won't be taken seriously when reporting anti-social behaviour, potentially masking the true scale of the problem.

**Zooming out:** The trend is mirrored across England and Wales, with reported incidents falling to just above 1 million - the lowest figure since 2007-08.

**What they're saying:**

Rachel Almeida, Victim Support: "While reports to the police of anti-social behaviour have gone down, sadly these incidents remain a common reality for many. Every year, one in three people will experience or witness some type of anti-social behaviour."

Almeida adds: "We know from our experience that many victims feel that they aren't taken seriously, or worry that no action will be taken when they report."

**Government response:** The Home Office says, "Crime survey data shows a growing concern around anti-social behaviour amongst communities" and that it's committed to tackling the issue by delivering extra neighbourhood police and community support officers and introducing tougher powers to tackle repeat offending.

**Yes, but:** The Manifesto Club, a civil liberties group, warns against introducing "even more draconian and unchecked powers" to combat anti-social behaviour.

Its director, Josie Appleton, said: "In our experience, anti-social behaviour statistics include a great variety of incidents, with police logs including everything from buskers to begging to drug use."

**The bottom line:** While reported incidents in Suffolk are down, charities argue that more needs to be done to support victims and encourage the reporting of anti-social behaviour.

### Sources

- [The nature of violent crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2024](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/thenatureofviolentcrimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2024?ref=ipswich.co.uk#:~:text=In%20YE%20March%202024%2C%20approximately,compared%20with%20YE%20March%202023)

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