Cambridge Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge recorded 1,137 crimes in May 2023, equating to 7.6 crimes per 1,000 residents—a rate 5% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a mix of crime types that align with the city’s character as a major academic and cultural hub. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 27.6% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (13.3%) and anti-social behaviour (12.9%). These patterns are consistent with the area’s high foot traffic, university presence, and retail density. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, likely contributed to some of these trends, though the exact causal links remain hedged. Shoplifting, for instance, is 104% above the UK average, a stark contrast to anti-social behaviour, which is 25% below the national rate. This divergence highlights the need to consider local contexts when interpreting crime data. The city’s relatively low burglary rate (4.3% of total crimes) compared to the UK average may reflect its compact, well-lit urban environment. month-on-month increase in this category deserves closer attention. Overall, Cambridge’s crime profile continues to show a balance between the expected challenges of a vibrant city and the mitigating factors of its unique social and physical landscape.

May 2023 saw a sharp 80% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 40 to 72 incidents—a jump that may reflect seasonal changes in parking patterns or increased outdoor activity. Burglary also rose by 36.1%, potentially linked to warmer evenings and more time spent outdoors. Conversely, robbery rates fell by 52.9%, from 17 to 8 cases, a decline that could be tied to improved community policing or fewer opportunities during the month. Shoplifting emerged as a striking outlier, with rates 104% above the UK average, while bicycle theft surged 275% above national levels—both figures highlighting vulnerabilities in retail and campus areas. These shifts underscore the combination of local dynamics and broader trends, with Cambridge’s academic population likely contributing to some of these anomalies.

Cambridge's crime rate in May 2023 rose by 9.3% compared to April 2023, moving from 7.0 to 7.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, translates to 37 crimes reported each day on average—a figure that provides context for local residents navigating daily life. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 131 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Cambridge within a range typical for a city of its size. When scaled to the population of 149,352, the 1,137 total crimes represent a manageable but noticeable presence in a community known for its academic and cultural vibrancy. The rise in crime, however, does not indicate a dramatic shift in safety; Cambridge remains 5% below the UK average, suggesting its crime profile continues to diverge from national trends in ways that may reflect its unique demographic and geographic characteristics.