Cambridge Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Cambridge’s crime profile in December 2023, accounting for 29.6% of all reported crimes. With a total crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents, the area slightly exceeded the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This figure, though small, reflects the city’s unique characteristics as a major academic hub and tourist destination. Retail areas, frequented by students and visitors, drove shoplifting incidents—173 cases, or 0.9 per 1,000 residents, 84% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, with 151 incidents (0.8 per 1,000), 14% below the UK rate. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, shorter daylight hours, and holiday-related absences—likely influenced these patterns. University campuses and nightlife areas may have contributed to the high proportion of violent crimes, while the city’s compact urban layout and high foot traffic explain elevated shoplifting rates. The data also reveals a stark contrast in crime types: while property crimes (627) outnumbered violent crimes (403), the latter category’s share of total crimes (29.6%) indicates persistent challenges in managing public safety. This balance between property and violent crime suggests a combination of local factors, including student populations, tourist activity, and the city’s historical role as a centre of learning and commerce.

December saw a 56.1% drop in bicycle theft, likely linked to holiday closures reducing theft opportunities. Conversely, other crime increased by 50% (18 to 27 cases), suggesting emerging patterns not yet fully explained by available data. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, contributing 29.6% of all crimes—despite being 16% below the UK average. Shoplifting, however, surged 84% above the UK rate, reflecting Cambridge’s high foot traffic in retail areas. The 36.5% rise in criminal damage and arson may correlate with seasonal neglect of properties during holiday absences. These shifts underscore the interplay between local demographics and seasonal factors, with university-related activity and tourism likely influencing certain crime trends.

Cambridge's crime rate in December 2023 fell by 6.1% compared to November, dropping from 7.7 to 7.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of December, when colder weather and holiday-related absences may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. Locally, 44 crimes were reported daily, a figure that reflects the area’s density and activity levels. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 138 residents—a rate consistent with previous months but slightly lower than the UK average. The population context reveals that Cambridge, with 187,642 residents, maintains a crime profile shaped by its academic and tourist demographics. While the overall rate remains marginally above the UK average, the directional shift from November highlights the influence of seasonal rhythms on local crime patterns.