Cambridge Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a distinct balance between property and violent crime, with property-related incidents dominating the overall rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents. This rate, 2.9% above the UK average of 6.8, highlights the city's unique position as a major academic and research hub. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29.1% of all incidents, though this rate remains 20% below the UK average. This discrepancy may be attributed to the city's strong community networks and university-led initiatives that foster a culture of safety. Shoplifting, at 15.7% of total crimes, emerged as a significant concern, with its rate 93% above the national average—a figure that likely reflects the high footfall in retail areas and the transient nature of student populations. Anti-social behaviour, the third most common category, accounted for 13.3% of incidents, though its rate was 3% below the UK average. Seasonal factors in January, such as reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, may partly explain the lower volume of outdoor crimes typically seen during this time. The city's crime picture also includes notable disparities in specific categories: bicycle theft, at 500% above the UK average, underscores the challenges of managing a large cycling population, while the relatively low rate of vehicle crime (19% below the UK average) may be linked to the city's pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. These patterns illustrate the combination of Cambridge's academic environment, urban design, and seasonal rhythms in shaping its crime profile.

January 2026 saw a significant 34.9% increase in shoplifting, with 205 incidents reported compared to 152 in December. This surge, which places Cambridge's shoplifting rate 93% above the UK average, may partly explain the city's overall crime rate being 2.9% higher than the national average. Concurrently, possession of weapons and theft from the person both rose by 75%, with 21 and 28 incidents respectively, underscoring a shift in criminal activity patterns. Drug-related crimes fell by 30.1% to 65 incidents, a decline that contrasts with the 43% above UK average rate for this category. The city's bicycle theft rate. to 51 incidents, remains 500% above the UK average, a figure that likely reflects the high student population and associated cycling culture. These fluctuations suggest that while some areas of crime are stabilising, others are intensifying, requiring targeted policing strategies to address emerging trends.

Cambridge's crime rate in January 2026 rose 9.8% compared to December 2025, moving from 6.3 to 7.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase aligns with a daily crime rate of 42 incidents per day, a figure that reflects both the city's population density and its unique demographic profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 144 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of activity relative to the local population of 187,642. While the rise in overall crime is notable, the distribution across categories reveals contrasting trends: property crime remains the dominant category, yet violent crime rates are lower than the UK average. This suggests that while the city experiences a higher volume of non-violent incidents, its approach to managing public safety may be more effective in reducing violent crime compared to the national average. The shift in focus from December to January also highlights the seasonal influence of reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may alter patterns of criminal behaviour and community engagement.