Cambridge Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Cambridge's crime profile in November 2023, accounting for 25.1% of all reported incidents. At 358 cases, this category alone exceeds the UK average for the same category by 7%, despite the city's overall rate being 28% above the national average. The high prevalence of violent crime is consistent with Cambridge's status as a university city, where student populations, late-night social activity, and the convergence of academic and commercial life create conditions conducive to such offences. Seasonal factors also play a role: the transition to darker evenings and the proximity of Bonfire Night may have contributed to an increase in incidents. month-on-month decline in violence and sexual offences suggests some mitigation through policing or community efforts. Shoplifting remains a stark outlier, with a rate of 1.4 per 1,000 residents—155% above the UK average. This is likely driven by the city's high concentration of retail and academic spaces, particularly during Black Friday promotions, which attract large foot traffic and create opportunities for theft. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.0 per 1,000, is 5% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the city's relatively strong community cohesion and the presence of student-led initiatives focused on social responsibility. These patterns illustrate how Cambridge's unique demographic and geographic characteristics shape its crime profile, with academic institutions and commercial hubs acting as both catalysts and focal points for different types of criminal activity.

November 2023 saw a sharp 152.9% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 17 to 43 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in possession of weapons offences, signals shifting patterns in criminal activity. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell by 10.5%, dropping from 400 to 358, a decline that may reflect seasonal changes in social behaviour or increased police presence during peak holiday periods. The city's shoplifting rate remains 155% above the UK average, driven by Black Friday shopping and the high density of retail spaces in the city centre. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.0 per 1,000, is 5% below the UK average, a contrast that may stem from Cambridge's relatively cohesive community structures and university-led initiatives in conflict resolution. These fluctuations demonstrate how local factors—such as academic calendars, commercial events, and community dynamics—interact with broader national trends.

Cambridge's crime rate in November 2023 rose to 9.6 per 1,000 residents, a 4.3% increase from the previous month's 9.2 per 1,000. This places the city 28% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, a gap that remains consistent with recent months. Daily crime activity averaged 48 incidents per day, highlighting the persistent pace of reported crime in the district. Over the course of November, one crime was reported for every 105 residents, underscoring the frequency of incidents in a densely populated area. While the overall rate shows a modest upward trend, the distribution of crime types reveals stark contrasts with the UK average. For example, shoplifting in Cambridge is 155% above the national average, a figure that reflects the city's high foot traffic in retail zones and university campuses. This comparison underscores the unique challenges of a major academic and commercial hub, where seasonal events like Black Friday may amplify opportunities for property-related crimes.