Cambridge Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

June 2023 marked a notable shift in Cambridge’s crime profile, with the overall rate reaching 11.0 per 1,000 residents—29.4% above the UK average of 8.5. This discrepancy underscores the city’s distinct characteristics as a university hub, where transient populations and academic events can amplify certain crime trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 25.3% of all reported crimes, a proportion consistent with Cambridge’s history of higher violent crime rates relative to other UK cities with similar educational institutions. However, the most striking anomaly was the surge in shoplifting, which at 1.3 per 1,000 residents exceeded the UK average by 141%, likely driven by increased foot traffic in retail areas during the early summer. Anti-social behaviour also rose to 1.6 per 1,000, 8% above the UK average, potentially reflecting the social dynamics of a student-dominated population. Seasonal factors may have played a role: as June marks the start of the summer, extended daylight hours and the onset of tourism could have influenced both retail crime and public order incidents. The data also highlights Cambridge’s peculiar vulnerability to bicycle theft, with 0.8 per 1,000 residents—700% above the UK average—a figure that may be exacerbated by the city’s dense cycling infrastructure and high student population. These patterns suggest a combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and demographic factors, all of which contribute to a crime profile that diverges from the national average.

June 2023 saw unprecedented spikes in specific crime categories, most robbery, which increased by 225% (8 to 26 incidents). This jump, coupled with a 142% rise in bicycle theft (50 to 121) and a 162.5% increase in possession of weapons (8 to 21), signals a marked shift in criminal activity. While violent crimes remained the largest category (25.3% of total), their rate (2.8 per 1,000) was 4% below the UK average, contrasting with shoplifting’s 141% above UK levels (1.3 vs 0.5 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour also rose 8% above the UK average, potentially linked to increased social activity during the early summer. For residents, the 700% surge in bicycle theft—Cambridge’s highest recorded rate—offers a clear warning to secure cycles, especially in university areas where thefts often occur near campuses and libraries.

Cambridge's crime rate in June 2023 rose to 11.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 44.3% increase from the previous month's rate of 7.6 per 1,000. This surge places the city significantly above its usual levels, with daily crime figures averaging 55 incidents per day over the 30-day period. On a monthly basis, this equates to one reported crime for every 91 residents, highlighting the density of incidents within a relatively short timeframe. While such figures may seem alarming, they must be contextualised within Cambridge’s unique demographic profile as a university city, where transient populations and academic events can influence local crime dynamics. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the increase, the rate remains lower than some UK urban centres with comparable student populations. However, the sharp rise in specific categories like robbery and bicycle theft suggests localized pressures that warrant closer attention.