Cambridge Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime rate in April 2025 stood at 7.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 9.1% below the UK average of 7.7. This performance reflects a combination of seasonal dynamics and local characteristics. The university city's vibrant retail and academic environment contributes to patterns where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour dominate the crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 26.6% of all reported crimes, followed by shoplifting at 19.5% and anti-social behaviour at 15.4%. These figures align with Cambridge's role as a major educational hub, where high foot traffic in central areas may drive property crimes. The spring season, with its longer evenings and Easter-related activity, likely contributes to increased outdoor interactions that can both deter and enable certain types of crime. Violent crime rates in Cambridge (1.9 per 1,000) are 27% below the UK average for this category, suggesting that the city's community policing efforts and academic culture may play a role in moderating violent incidents. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting relative to the UK average highlights vulnerabilities in retail security measures, particularly during periods of increased foot traffic. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas while maintaining the city's overall safety record.

April 2025 saw notable month-on-month increases in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons rose 41.7% from 12 to 17 incidents, a troubling trend that may reflect heightened tensions in certain areas or changes in policing priorities. Robbery incidents also increased by 38.5% (13 to 18), although this remains below the UK average for the category. These figures contrast sharply with significant decreases elsewhere: vehicle crime fell 60.6% (66 to 26), likely due to improved security measures or reduced parking congestion during Easter holidays. Bicycle theft dropped 49.6% (115 to 58), possibly linked to seasonal variations in cycling activity. The city's shoplifting rate (1.4 per 1,000) was 112% above the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000, a discrepancy that may reflect Cambridge's dense retail environment and high student population. Conversely, vehicle crime in Cambridge (0.1 per 1,000) was 74% below the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000, suggesting effective parking management strategies. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high concentrations of retail outlets, where shoplifting rates remain significantly elevated compared to national benchmarks.

Cambridge's crime rate in April 2025 (7.0 per 1,000) represents a 12.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.0, marking a continued downward trend. This reduction translates to 44 crimes reported per day on average, a figure that provides context for local residents assessing daily risk levels. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 142 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than many comparable urban areas. This statistic is particularly significant when considered alongside Cambridge's population of 187,642, highlighting the city's ability to maintain a relatively low crime burden despite its status as a major university city. The decline from March's rate suggests potential effectiveness in recent policing strategies or seasonal factors related to Easter holidays reducing foot traffic in certain areas. However, the 9.1% gap between Cambridge's rate and the UK average underscores both the city's strengths in crime prevention and the persistent challenges faced by other regions. The daily crime figure (44) offers a tangible benchmark for residents to contextualise their personal risk, while the monthly exposure rate illustrates the broader demographic impact of crime in the area.