Cambridge Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's January 2025 crime profile reveals a nuanced interplay between property and violent crime, with property offences dominating the overall rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure, 1.4% above the UK average, underscores a slightly elevated risk compared to the national benchmark but remains within the broader context of a university city with a unique demographic profile. The breakdown of crimes shows that property-related incidents, particularly shoplifting and bicycle theft, account for a significant portion of the total, with shoplifting alone contributing 18.5% of all reported crimes. This pattern is consistent with Cambridge's identity as a major academic hub, where large student populations and high foot traffic in retail areas create conditions conducive to theft. The UK comparison data further highlights these disparities: shoplifting in Cambridge is 110% above the national average, while bicycle theft is an extraordinary 1,100% above the UK rate of 0.1 per 1,000. These figures likely reflect the city's dense cycling infrastructure and the concentration of students who rely heavily on bicycles for transport. In contrast, violent crime, though not negligible, is lower than the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 1.9 per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 2.5. This may be attributed to the city's relatively low levels of public disorder and the presence of a well-educated, stable population. Seasonal factors also play a role: January's shorter days and post-holiday retail lull may have contributed to a reduction in outdoor crimes, though the spike in property-related offences suggests that other factors, such as the timing of university term breaks, may have influenced crime patterns. The interplay between these elements illustrates a city where property crime remains a persistent challenge, even as violent crime remains relatively controlled.

The month-on-month analysis reveals a sharp increase in bicycle theft, rising by 38.8% from 80 to 111 incidents, a trend consistent with the city's high student population and reliance on cycling infrastructure. Shoplifting also surged by 38.1%, jumping from 181 to 250 cases, a figure that is 110% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This spike may be linked to post-holiday retail activity and the presence of university campuses, where foot traffic remains steady even in January. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 64.7%, from 34 to 12 incidents, a decline that could reflect improved security measures or reduced outdoor activity during shorter winter days. Cambridge's violent crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 is 24% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, indicating a relatively safer environment for residents despite the overall rate being marginally above the national benchmark.

Cambridge's crime rate in January 2025 rose to 7.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.9% increase from the previous month's 7.0. This places the area just 1.4% above the UK average, reflecting a slight upward trend but remaining within national parameters. On a daily basis, 44 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that underscores the consistent presence of crime in the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 139 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, highlights the need for continued vigilance. Cambridge's population of 187,642 means that the absolute number of crimes, while relatively low per capita, still translates to 1,349 incidents across the city. This population-scaled perspective suggests that while the rate is near the UK average, the volume of crimes is significant enough to warrant targeted local initiatives, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of property-related offences.