Cambridge Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge’s crime rate for November 2024 stood at 6.7 per 1,000 residents, marking an 11.8% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This places the city among the safer urban areas in the country. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 28.2% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 — 26% below the UK average. Shoplifting followed closely at 15.9% of total crimes, but this category showed a stark divergence from national norms, with a rate of 1.1 per 1,000 — 59% above the UK average. These figures align with Cambridge’s character as a university city, where high foot traffic in retail areas and academic institutions may contribute to shoplifting incidents. Anti-social behaviour, at 14.3% of total crimes, also reflected a 10% deficit against the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies in this category. The seasonal context of November — marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and extended darkness — likely influenced crime dynamics, with increased retail activity potentially driving thefts and reduced visibility affecting public order incidents. However, the city’s overall lower-than-average crime rate indicates sustained efforts in crime prevention, particularly in property crimes, which constituted 48.5% of all reports (605 incidents). This includes shoplifting, bicycle theft, and criminal damage, though the latter two categories showed significant local variations compared to national benchmarks. The interplay of academic institutions, tourist activity, and year-round retail presence in Cambridge creates a unique crime profile that differs from both rural and other urban areas, requiring tailored approaches to law enforcement and community safety initiatives.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in November 2024 was the 88.9% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 27 to 51 incidents. This surge, while still below the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000 (Cambridge’s rate was 0.3 per 1,000), may reflect heightened parking activity during the Christmas shopping season or changes in enforcement patterns. Bicycle theft also rose by 20%, reaching 96 incidents — a rate of 0.5 per 1,000, 614% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly could be linked to Cambridge’s dense student population and the city’s cycling infrastructure, which may create opportunities for theft despite overall low crime rates. Conversely, robbery fell by 55% (from 20 to 9 incidents), a drop that aligns with seasonal trends as darker evenings and reduced foot traffic in retail areas during November may deter such crimes. Drug-related offences also declined sharply by 52.2%, from 46 to 22 incidents, though this category remains well below the UK average. Public order offences saw a 40% reduction, from 100 to 60 incidents, suggesting effective policing during Bonfire Night events or reduced large gatherings. Violence and sexual offences — the largest category — remained stable compared to October, with a rate of 1.9 per 1,000, 26% below the UK average. This stability, despite the season’s potential for increased social interactions, may indicate successful community interventions or the city’s generally lower propensity for violent crime compared to other UK areas.

Cambridge’s November 2024 crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents represented an 11.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.5 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend that has likely been influenced by targeted policing initiatives or seasonal factors. On a daily basis, the city experienced approximately 42 crimes per day — a figure that, while lower than the UK average, must be contextualised within Cambridge’s unique demographic profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 150 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable urban areas. This statistic, however, does not account for the city’s high proportion of students and transient populations, which may skew perceptions of safety. Cambridge’s population of 187,642 means that crime rates are distributed across a relatively large and diverse community, with areas like the city centre, university campuses, and residential suburbs each exhibiting distinct patterns. The 11.8% deficit compared to the UK average underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies, though Cambridge’s lower property crime rates — particularly in categories like burglary and vehicle crime — may be attributable to its compact urban layout and limited suburban sprawl. This compactness could reduce opportunities for certain crimes, though the recent surge in vehicle crime highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in this area. Residents should consider these figures in the context of Cambridge’s academic and tourist-driven economy, which may create both risks and opportunities for crime prevention through community engagement and infrastructure planning.