Cambridge Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

July 2025 marked an unexpected surge in drugs-related crimes in Cambridge, rising from 27 to 65 incidents—a 140.7% increase—surpassing all other categories in growth. This spike contrasts sharply with the city's usual crime profile, which typically prioritises violence and sexual offences (28.2% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (16.8%). Cambridge's overall crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents placed it 2.3% above the UK average of 8.6, a narrow margin that reflects the area's combination of academic and tourist influences. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the pattern: with schools out and tourism at its peak, retail centres and outdoor events may have amplified opportunities for certain crimes. Shoplifting remained a persistent concern, accounting for 13.4% of all incidents and 85% above the UK average, a figure consistent with Cambridge's high street density and summer foot traffic. Meanwhile, violent crimes—while still the largest category—were 18% below the UK average at 2.5 per 1,000. This divergence highlights Cambridge's unique demographic mix, where a large student population coexists with a vibrant tourism sector, shaping crime dynamics differently from more industrial or rural regions. The month's data also revealed a 34.4% increase in bicycle theft, aligning with the city's cycling culture and the heightened presence of tourists during summer festivals. These trends suggest that while Cambridge's overall safety remains comparable to national benchmarks, targeted interventions may be warranted for emerging issues like drug-related activity and theft in high-traffic areas.

Drugs-related crimes in Cambridge saw the most dramatic increase in July, jumping from 27 to 65 incidents—a 140.7% rise—marking the largest single-month surge in the city's recent crime history. This spike, which outpaced all other categories, may partly explain the city's 2.3% increase in overall crime rate compared to the UK average. Robbery also rose sharply, with incidents doubling from 10 to 21 (an 110% increase), suggesting a shift in criminal activity patterns during the summer months. Conversely, other crime fell by 27.3% (from 22 to 16), and public order offences dropped by 11.7% (from 111 to 98), possibly reflecting reduced enforcement during holiday periods or seasonal changes in community behaviour. Cambridge's shoplifting rate remained 85% above the UK average, with 221 incidents (1.2 per 1,000 residents), a figure that may be partly attributed to the city's high-density retail zones and tourist influx. Bicycle theft, which rose by 34.4% to 86 incidents, highlights the vulnerability of the city's cycling infrastructure during peak summer usage, with rates 525% above the UK average. These contrasting trends underscore the need for nuanced policing strategies that address both persistent and emerging crime challenges in a rapidly evolving urban environment.

Cambridge's crime rate in July 2025 rose to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, a 14.0% increase from the previous month's rate of 7.7. This places the city's current monthly exposure at one reported crime for roughly every 114 residents, a figure that, while slightly above the UK average, remains relatively low compared to other major urban centres. On a daily basis, the city recorded an average of 53 crimes per day, a statistic that contextualises the pace of criminal activity in a built-up area with a population of 187,642. When compared to the UK average, Cambridge's violent crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 (18% below the national figure) and anti-social behaviour rate of 1.5 per 1,000 (3% below the UK average) suggest a generally safer environment for residents, particularly in relation to property crimes. However, the city's shoplifting and bicycle theft rates—85% and 525% above the UK average, respectively—highlight specific vulnerabilities tied to its tourism and academic sectors. These figures also reveal a stark contrast between Cambridge's property crime trends and those of more industrial or rural areas, where burglary and vehicle crime tend to dominate. The 14.0% month-on-month increase in overall crime, while modest, underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of emerging patterns, particularly in categories like drugs-related offences, which saw a 140.7% surge from June to July.