Cambridge Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, 3.9% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This marks the first time since early 2023 that the city's rate has exceeded the national benchmark. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 24.0% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (20.3%) and anti-social behaviour (13.6%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of a university city, where springtime activity and Easter-related foot traffic may contribute to heightened retail crime. While violence rates remain 26% below the UK average, shoplifting in Cambridge is 139% above the national figure, a stark contrast driven by the city's high concentration of retail hubs and student populations. Public order offences also rose 32% above the UK average, likely linked to increased social gatherings during the Easter period. The data suggests a shift in crime dynamics, with property crimes (731) outpacing violent crimes (358) for the first time this year, reflecting changes in policing priorities or environmental factors. Cambridge's unique demographic profile—as a major academic and research centre—shapes these patterns, with student-related theft and anti-social behaviour recurring themes. However, the city's overall crime rate remains lower than many comparable urban areas, indicating effective community engagement and policing strategies. Residents should remain vigilant, particularly in high-traffic retail zones and during late-night hours, as the data highlights a growing need for targeted prevention efforts.

April 2024 saw significant spikes in specific crime categories, with theft from the person rising by 71.4% (21 to 36 incidents) and other crime increasing by 50% (20 to 30). These jumps, though not statistically significant in isolation, suggest emerging trends warranting closer attention. Shoplifting, already 139% above the UK average, surged by 43.6% (211 to 303), a troubling development for retailers and local businesses. This increase may be partly explained by the Easter holiday period, which typically sees higher foot traffic in Cambridge's historic shopping districts. Conversely, robbery incidents fell by 36.4% (11 to 7), and other theft decreased by 27.3% (110 to 80), potentially reflecting improved security measures or seasonal shifts in criminal activity. Bicycle theft, a persistent issue in the city, dropped by 25.3% (95 to 71).4 per 1,000 remains 471% above the UK average—a disparity that underscores Cambridge's unique challenges. The breakdown of crime types also reveals a marked imbalance: while violence and sexual offences dominate (24.0% of all crimes), theft from the person and other crime categories have seen rapid growth. Residents are advised to secure personal belongings in crowded areas, as the 71.4% increase in theft from the person suggests a rising risk of pickpocketing, particularly during busy events or in tourist-heavy zones.

Cambridge's crime rate in April 2024 (8.0 per 1,000) represents a 1.7% increase from the previous month's rate of 7.8 per 1,000, indicating a slight but notable upward trend. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 50 crimes per day—a figure that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for consistent vigilance. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 126 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Cambridge slightly above the UK average for comparable urban areas. This statistic, however, must be contextualised within the city's population of 187,642, which is significantly larger than many smaller towns but smaller than major metropolitan centres. The stability in the overall crime rate—despite sharp increases in specific categories—suggests that broader systemic factors, rather than sudden spikes, may be at play. For instance, while shoplifting rates are 139% above the UK average, this is partly attributable to Cambridge's dense retail infrastructure and student population, which creates a unique environment for such crimes. The comparison to the previous month also reveals that the most significant changes occurred in niche categories, such as other crime (up 50%) and theft from the person (up 71.4%), rather than across-the-board increases. This pattern indicates that targeted interventions in these specific areas may yield more effective results than broad-based measures.