Cambridge Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Cambridge’s crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 21.1% increase above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This divergence from the national trend highlights a significant imbalance between property and violent crime. Property crimes accounted for 48% of all reported incidents (614 cases), while violent crimes made up 28% (357 cases). This contrast suggests a seasonal dynamic influenced by Cambridge’s character as a university city and retail hub. The Christmas shopping peak, combined with extended dark evenings and the presence of temporary residents, may partly explain the elevated property crime figures. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category at 27.9% of total crimes, were 6% below the UK average, indicating a relative reduction in violent incidents despite the month’s social pressures. However, shoplifting emerged as a stark outlier, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 (14.1% of all crimes), 111% above the UK average. This anomaly aligns with Cambridge’s high street retail density and the influx of holiday shoppers. Anti-social behaviour (13.7% of crimes) and other theft (8.6%) also exceeded UK averages, reflecting the challenges of managing public spaces during a month marked by festive events and crowded conditions. The seasonal context of December—empty homes over the holidays, increased foot traffic in commercial areas, and the logistical demands of holiday travel—likely contributed to these patterns. While the overall rate remains concerning, the relative stability in violent crime offers a partial counterbalance to the property crime surge, suggesting that targeted policing or community initiatives may have mitigated some risks in this category.

December 2024 saw notable shifts in Cambridge’s crime profile, with some categories rising sharply while others declined. Other crime increased by 55% (20 to 31), and possession of weapons rose 54.5% (11 to 17), both suggesting a potential uptick in illicit activity or enforcement focus. Theft from the person also rose 41.7% (24 to 34), possibly linked to increased pedestrian traffic during the Christmas season. Conversely, shoplifting fell 8.1% (197 to 181), and bicycle theft dropped 16.7% (96 to 80), indicating some success in addressing these specific issues. The property crime dominance—accounting for 48% of total crimes—contrasted sharply with violent crime’s 28% share, a divergence that may reflect Cambridge’s urban retail environment and the seasonal pressures of holiday shopping. Shoplifting’s 111% above the UK average (1.2 vs 0.6 per 1,000) underscores the area’s vulnerability in this category, likely driven by the high concentration of commercial premises and the transient nature of holiday shoppers. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained 6% below the UK average (2.4 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a trend that could be attributed to local policing efforts or the temporary absence of some populations during the holidays. These findings highlight a combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and enforcement strategies, with property crime management emerging as a critical priority for the coming months.

Cambridge’s December 2024 crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 3.4% increase from the previous month’s 8.3 per 1,000, reflecting a gradual upward trend over the year. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 41 crimes per day, a figure that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide data, illustrates the frequency of incidents in a densely populated urban centre. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 116 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Cambridge’s population at a higher risk than the national average. With a population of 149,352, the absolute number of crimes (1,282) translates to a scale that residents must navigate daily, particularly in high-traffic areas such as the city centre and university campuses. The comparison to the previous month’s rate highlights a subtle but measurable shift in crime dynamics, potentially influenced by the Christmas season’s unique pressures—such as increased retail activity, reduced staffing in some sectors, and the temporary displacement of residents. While the overall rate remains above the UK average, the breakdown of crime types reveals both areas of concern (property crime dominance) and relative stability (lower violent crime). This contrast underscores the need for targeted interventions that address the specific challenges of Cambridge’s urban environment, balancing the demands of a thriving academic community with the realities of commercial and residential security.