Cambridge Crime Rate

Cambridge Crime Statistics

Cambridge presents a complex safety profile with an overall crime rate of 109.3 per 1,000 people, which is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6. Despite this, the city maintains a solid safety score of 77/100, reflecting its status as a generally secure and highly desirable place to live. Encouragingly, the recent trend is positive, with a 6.0% year-over-year decrease in total recorded crime. Property crime is a particular area of focus for the city, currently standing at 48.8 per 1,000 residents, driven largely by high rates of shoplifting and bicycle theft typical of a major university and tourist destination. This data provides a comprehensive overview of the city's safety, helping residents and visitors understand the local environment.

About Cambridge

Cambridge is a world-renowned university city characterised by a unique blend of historic academic institutions, a thriving global technology sector, and a high volume of international tourism. These factors contribute significantly to its crime profile. The city's population of nearly 150,000 is bolstered by a large, transient student body and millions of annual visitors, which can lead to higher rates of opportunistic crime such as shoplifting and bicycle theft.

As a major transport hub for East Anglia, Cambridge sees significant daily footfall through its central station and bus networks, creating environments where public order and anti-social behaviour are more frequently reported. The "Silicon Fen" tech boom has brought substantial economic prosperity to the area, but like many successful urban centres, this wealth can attract property-related crime. The city's dense urban layout, combined with its vibrant nightlife and extensive network of cycle paths, creates a complex environment for law enforcement, balancing the needs of permanent residents, the academic community, and the visiting public.

Crime Breakdown in Cambridge

In the Cambridge local authority area, crime is led by three main categories. Violence and sexual offences are the most common, totaling 4,493 incidents and representing 27.5% of all recorded crime. This is followed closely by shoplifting at 16.1% and anti-social behaviour at 14.9%. The high rate of shoplifting is particularly characteristic of Cambridge’s busy retail centres and high tourist numbers.

Property crime is a significant factor in Cambridge, with a rate of 48.8 per 1,000 people—well above the UK average of 32.2. This category includes 534 burglaries, 880 bicycle thefts, and 614 vehicle crimes. Bicycle theft is a notorious issue in the city due to its status as the UK's cycling capital, while burglary and vehicle crime together account for over 7% of total offences. For residents, this elevated property crime rate underscores the importance of robust home security. While the city remains a safe and desirable place to live, the statistical likelihood of property-related incidents is higher than in many other parts of the country, necessitating proactive measures to protect high-value assets.

Crime Trends in Cambridge

The overall crime trend in Cambridge is encouraging, with a 6.0% decrease in total offences over the last 12 months. This reduction suggests that local law enforcement and community safety initiatives are successfully curbing criminal activity across the city. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates peaked in the summer months, with July recording the highest rate of 10.9 per 1,000 residents, followed by August at 10.0.

Conversely, the winter months saw the lowest activity, with the year ending at a low of 7.7 in December. This seasonal pattern is common in tourist-heavy cities, where higher footfall in the summer often correlates with an increase in opportunistic offences. For residents, the consistent month-on-month stability throughout the rest of the year, combined with the overall annual decrease, indicates that Cambridge is moving toward a safer environment, despite the inherent challenges of its urban and academic profile.

Nearby Area Comparison

Cambridge serves as the primary urban and commercial hub for the region, which is reflected in its higher crime rate of 109.3 per 1,000 people. When compared to the surrounding districts, the contrast is stark. Neighbours such as South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire all report significantly lower crime figures, as do nearby Uttlesford, North Hertfordshire, and West Suffolk. While these areas often report rates near 0.0 in specific settlement data, they represent the quieter, more rural alternatives to the city. For those seeking the amenities of Cambridge, the higher crime rate is a typical urban trade-off, though the city's current decreasing trend makes it increasingly competitive with the surrounding region's safety standards.

Home Security in Cambridge

In Cambridge, where the property crime rate is a significant 48.8 per 1,000 residents, the limitations of traditional security are often exposed. Standard CCTV systems and DIY doorbells are primarily reactive; they provide you with a recording of a crime that has already occurred. In a city with high rates of bicycle theft, burglary, and vehicle crime, waiting for a notification after the fact is rarely enough to protect your assets.

Proactive protection, such as that offered by scOS, changes the dynamic of home security. By using AI to monitor all cameras simultaneously, scOS can detect an intruder the moment they cross your property boundary. Rather than just recording the event, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lighting and audio warnings. This immediate intervention destroys the "element of surprise" that most burglars rely on. For Cambridge homeowners, investing in a system that prevents crime before it happens is a vital step in mitigating the city's elevated property crime risks.

How To Keep Safe in Cambridge

The most common crime in the Cambridge area is violence and sexual offences. While the city is generally safe, especially in well-frequented areas, residents and visitors should take standard precautions to ensure their personal safety.

When moving around the city, particularly at night, it is advisable to stay on well-lit main roads and avoid poorly lit shortcuts or isolated park areas. If you are a student or a regular commuter, consider using personal safety apps that allow you to share your journey with friends. Given the city's high rate of bicycle theft, always use high-quality D-locks and secure your bike in designated, well-lit areas with CCTV coverage. For homeowners, ensuring that all ground-floor windows and doors are securely locked, even when you are inside, is a simple but effective measure. Engaging with local community policing teams can also help you stay informed about specific trends in your neighbourhood.