Cambridge Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime profile in January 2025 reveals a nuanced balance between property and violent crimes, with property-related offences dominating the overall rate. The city recorded 1,349 total crimes at a rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.4% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This slight divergence from the national figure underscores Cambridge's unique character as a major university city with a high concentration of transient populations and academic institutions. Violence and sexual offences (348 incidents) accounted for 25.8% of all crimes, while property crimes (672 incidents) made up the remainder, dominated by shoplifting (18.5%) and anti-social behaviour (13.2%). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely contributes to the observed patterns. Property crimes may benefit from the city's dense network of retail centres and university campuses, which attract both residents and visitors. Violent crime rates, though slightly below the UK average for this category, remain a concern in areas with high foot traffic and late-night activity. The contrast between property and violent crime rates may reflect the interplay of Cambridge's academic environment, where transient populations and high property value areas drive theft and anti-social behaviour, while the relatively stable social fabric of the city moderates violent incidents. This dynamic profile suggests that crime prevention strategies should focus on securing high-traffic retail areas and addressing anti-social behaviour in student-heavy neighbourhoods, while maintaining community-based initiatives to support local safety.

January 2025 saw significant shifts in Cambridge's crime profile. Bicycle theft surged by 38.8%, rising from 80 to 111 incidents, a figure 1,100% above the UK average. This aligns with the city's high concentration of university students, who frequently use bicycles for commuting. Shoplifting also increased by 38.1%, reaching 250 incidents, placing the category 110% above the UK average. The rise in public order offences (29.4% increase) may reflect the post-holiday period, when short days and reduced retail footfall lead to more incidents in high-traffic areas. Conversely, theft from the person fell sharply by 64.7%, dropping from 34 to 12, likely due to fewer people in public spaces during the post-Christmas lull. These trends illustrate the dynamic interplay between seasonal factors and Cambridge's demographic profile, where academic and retail activity drive specific crime patterns.

Cambridge's crime rate in January 2025 rose to 7.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.9% increase from December's 7.0 per 1,000. This places the city 1.4% above the UK average. Daily crime figures show 44 reported incidents per day, highlighting the persistent presence of crime in the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 139 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for locals. While the population of 187,642 means individual risk remains low, the slight upward trend in overall crime rate suggests a need for continued monitoring. The comparison to the previous month underscores the fluctuation in crime patterns, particularly in property-related offences. This rate, though modest, reflects the interplay between seasonal factors and the city's unique characteristics, such as its academic population and retail hubs.