Car theft and vehicle crime in Ipswich
Between October 2025 and September 2026, Suffolk Constabulary logged 218 vehicle offences inside a one-mile radius of Ipswich. The most recent quarter brought 39 offences, 15% fewer than the 46 in the quarter before it.
Ipswich month by month
The busiest month was February 2026 with 30 offences; the quietest was September 2026 with 7. Offences fell 36% between the two halves of the period. Average: 18.2 a month.
| Month | Offences | vs 12-month average |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25 | +7 |
| Nov 2025 | 21 | +3 |
| Dec 2025 | 15 | -3 |
| Jan 2026 | 19 | +1 |
| Feb 2026 | 30 | +12 |
| Mar 2026 | 23 | +5 |
| Apr 2026 | 13 | -5 |
| May 2026 | 17 | -1 |
| Jun 2026 | 16 | -2 |
| Jul 2026 | 15 | -3 |
| Aug 2026 | 17 | -1 |
| Sep 2026 | 7 | -11 |
How Ipswich compares
Ipswich sits at number 59 of 84 on our table, with 18 offences a month: close to the typical town in our set. By contrast Cardiff recorded 116 a month.
Over the latest three months the one-mile circle around Ipswich averaged 13 vehicle offences a month. Roughly 24% of sampled British postcodes recorded more than central Ipswich. For context we counted the same one-mile radius around 400 random postcodes nationwide (Jul 2026, Aug 2026, Sep 2026). Test your own street with the free theft risk checker.
Ipswich is the only Suffolk Constabulary area on our list. Across the 11 East of England towns we track it ranks 8 for vehicle crime per month.
Towns nearest to Ipswich
- Colchester (16 miles away): 13 a month, 28% fewer than Ipswich
- Chelmsford (36 miles away): 12 a month, 36% fewer than Ipswich
- Southend-on-Sea (40 miles away): 37 a month, 106% more than Ipswich
Where in Ipswich offences were recorded
Just five locations make up 18% of the 218 offences recorded around Ipswich.
- On or near Parking Area: 17
- On or near A137: 8
- On or near Discovery Avenue: 5
- On or near Supermarket: 5
- On or near Enterprise Drive: 4
What happened to Ipswich cases
The most common recorded outcome near Ipswich was "investigation complete; no suspect identified" (136 cases).
| Outcome | Offences | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 136 | 62% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 29 | 13% |
| Court result unavailable | 19 | 9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 5% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 10 | 5% |
| Under investigation | 7 | 3% |
What this means if you park near Ipswich
A rate near 18 a month makes Ipswich a lower-volume area, which is when an unprotected premium car stands out. February was the local peak, which is worth remembering when you plan where to park.
Against the 218 offences logged here in a year, an aftermarket immobiliser slows thieves who clone or relay keys, and an S5 or S7 tracker covers you if they still get away. See installation options.
Ipswich car theft questions
How much car crime is there in Ipswich?
In the year to September 2026, 218 vehicle crimes were logged inside a mile of central Ipswich: about 18 every month, placing it 59 of the 84 towns we track (among the lower end).
When was vehicle crime worst in Ipswich?
February 2026 was the peak with 30 offences, against 7 in September 2026. The latest month, September 2026, recorded 7.
Are car thieves caught in Ipswich?
Of the 218 offences, 136 (62%) were closed with no suspect identified, and 40 reached a court or charge stage on police.uk. Prevention and recovery tracking matter more than hoping for an arrest.
Does this cover stolen cars only in Ipswich?
No. Police.uk counts theft of a vehicle, theft from a vehicle and vehicle interference together as vehicle crime, so the 218 figure for Ipswich is wider than stolen cars alone.
Source: police.uk, centred on 52.0567, 1.1482, retrieved 2026-11-06. Method and limits.