Cambridge Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Cambridge's crime profile in December 2024, contributing 27.8% of all reported crimes. This category, at 2.0 per 1,000 residents, was 22% below the UK average, a pattern consistent with the city's focus on community policing and university-led initiatives. The overall crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents placed Cambridge 1.4% below the UK average, reflecting the area's relatively low levels of property crime compared to other urban centres. Seasonal factors likely influenced the data, with Christmas shopping and dark evenings creating conditions conducive to violent incidents. Shoplifting (13.8% of all crimes) and anti-social behaviour (13.7%) followed closely, both driven by the city's high footfall in retail areas and the transient population associated with the university sector. The 75% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average highlights the challenges of managing commercial spaces during peak holiday periods. decrease in shoplifting from November suggests targeted interventions may have had some effect. The crime picture illustrates a balance between persistent issues in public spaces and the success of local measures in curbing more severe forms of criminal activity.

December saw a 65% rise in 'other crime' (33 cases), a category encompassing a range of non-specific offences that may reflect underreported or evolving criminal behaviour. Possession of weapons increased by 41.7% (17 cases), a figure that, while modest in absolute terms, raises questions about the city's approach to managing potential risks in both university and residential areas. Theft from the person rose by 41.7% (34 cases), likely linked to increased foot traffic in retail zones and the festive season's impact on consumer behaviour. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 16.7% (80 cases) despite Cambridge's reputation as a cycling hub, possibly due to heightened awareness campaigns around winter storage. Shoplifting decreased by 8.6% (181 cases) compared to November, though it remained 75% above the UK average, suggesting ongoing challenges in retail security. Criminal damage and arson also dropped by 8.4% (87 cases), influenced by seasonal factors such as holiday closures reducing opportunities for such acts. These shifts highlight both the effectiveness of local strategies and the persistent pressures of a city with a complex mix of academic, commercial, and residential environments.

Cambridge's crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents in December 2024 represented a 5.0% increase from the previous month's rate of 6.7, indicating a gradual upward trend. This translates to an average of 42 crimes reported each day, a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised against the city's population of 187,642 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 143 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is comparable to other similarly sized urban centres. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cambridge's crime rate remains significantly lower than many UK cities, particularly when considering the dominance of violent crimes over property offences. This contrast is evident in categories like vehicle crime, which was 25% below the UK average, and drugs offences, which were 58% below, both reflecting the city's relatively low levels of drug-related activity and vehicle-targeted crime. However, the 700% disparity in bicycle theft compared to the UK average underscores the unique challenges posed by Cambridge's cycling infrastructure, which, while a strength in many respects, creates specific vulnerabilities. These comparisons highlight both the effectiveness of local policing and the need for targeted strategies to address the city's distinct crime profile.