Cambridge (Cambridge) Crime Rate

Cambridge (Cambridge) Crime Statistics

The urban settlement of Cambridge (Cambridge) maintains a strong safety profile with an overall crime rate of 88.8 per 1,000 people, which is better than the UK national average of 91.6. This is reflected in its high safety score of 81/100, surpassing the UK average of 79. The area is currently seeing a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 5.8% year-over-year. While the settlement is generally very safe for its 187,642 residents, property crime remains a focus at 39.3 per 1,000 people, driven by the city's status as a major retail and cycling hub. This detailed breakdown explores the specific types of crime affecting the area and provides context for the latest safety trends.

Crime Breakdown in Cambridge (Cambridge)

The criminal statistics for the Cambridge urban settlement are led by three primary categories. Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, with 4,631 recorded incidents accounting for 27.8% of all crime. Shoplifting follows at 15.8%, and anti-social behaviour makes up 15.0%. These figures reflect the bustling nature of the settlement, where high street commercial activity and a large population contribute to these specific crime types.

Property crime is a notable factor for residents, with a rate of 39.3 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the UK average of 32.2 and includes 547 burglaries, 887 bicycle thefts, and 624 vehicle crimes. Bicycle theft remains a persistent issue within the urban core, representing 5.3% of all offences. For homeowners and residents, these statistics highlight the need for robust security. While the settlement is statistically safer than the wider local authority average, the concentration of property-related offences in the urban area means that proactive measures to secure homes and vehicles are essential for maintaining personal safety and asset protection.

Crime Trends in Cambridge (Cambridge)

The crime trend in Cambridge (Cambridge) is currently positive, with a 5.8% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a consistent pattern, with crime rates peaking during the summer months. July recorded the highest rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents, followed by August at 8.2.

The year began and ended with the lowest rates, with 7.2 in January and a significant drop to 6.3 in December. This seasonal fluctuation is typical for large urban areas with significant tourism and outdoor activity. The overall downward trend suggests that the settlement is becoming safer, with the decrease in crimes being sustained throughout the latter half of the year. For residents, this stability is a reassuring sign that local safety measures are effectively managing the challenges of a large and growing urban population.

How To Keep Safe in Cambridge (Cambridge)

The most common crime in this urban settlement is violence and sexual offences. While the overall crime rate is decreasing, staying vigilant in a busy city environment is always recommended for personal safety.

To stay safe, try to use well-lit, busy pedestrian routes when walking after dark and avoid using your phone in a way that distracts you from your surroundings. If you are a cyclist, ensure you use a high-quality D-lock and secure both the frame and wheels to a solid fixture. Given the prevalence of shoplifting and theft in commercial areas, keep your personal belongings secure and never leave bags unattended in cafes or shops. For residents, joining a local neighbourhood watch or digital community group can provide real-time updates on local issues. Ensuring your home is well-lit at the front and rear can also significantly reduce the likelihood of opportunistic property crime.

Cambridge (Cambridge) Time Patterns

Criminal activity in the Cambridge urban area follows a clear temporal cycle. The morning and afternoon are peak times for theft and shoplifting, which account for 48% and 45% of crimes in these periods respectively. This aligns with the opening hours of the city's extensive retail and commercial districts.

As the day transitions into evening, the profile shifts toward anti-social behaviour and "other" offences, which comprise over half of the recorded incidents. The night-time period (12am to 6am) carries the highest relative risk for property owners; vehicle crime peaks at 28% and burglary at 16% of total offences during these hours. While the total volume of crime may be lower overnight, the focus on high-value assets like cars and homes is statistically much higher when the city is quietest.

Nearby Area Comparison

Cambridge (Cambridge) serves as the central urban core, and its crime rate of 88.8 per 1,000 reflects this. When compared to nearby Teversham, which has a very similar rate of 85.5, the settlement appears consistent with its immediate urban neighbours. However, there is a significant contrast with the more rural or residential villages on its outskirts; Girton reports a much lower rate of 20.3, while Fen Ditton and Grantchester report 0.0 crimes per 1,000. For residents, this highlights that while the urban centre is very safe by national standards, it naturally experiences more activity than the surrounding quiet villages, making it the most vibrant but also the most active part of the region.

Home Security in Cambridge (Cambridge)

With a property crime rate of 39.3 per 1,000 residents, the Cambridge urban area presents specific challenges for homeowners. The high frequency of bicycle theft and burglary in urban settings often means that traditional, reactive security measures are insufficient. Standard cameras that simply record a crime in progress do little to prevent the loss of property or the violation of your home.

Proactive security is the most effective way to address these risks. Systems like scOS use advanced AI to monitor your property boundaries and identify threats before they reach your door. By detecting patterns and recognising familiar faces, scOS only alerts you to real threats, while its autonomous response capabilities—such as activating lights or speakers—can deter an intruder instantly. In an area where burglaries are most likely to occur at night, having a system that "never blinks" and intervenes at the first sign of trouble provides a level of protection that traditional recording devices simply cannot match.