Cambridge Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime rate for June 2024 stood at 10.1 per 1,000 residents, placing the city 23.2% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure, while elevated, reflects a combination of factors inherent to a major university city. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (27.3% of total incidents), followed by shoplifting (17.2%) and anti-social behaviour (12.4%). The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer and the beginning of the tourist season—may have influenced these patterns. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.8 per 1,000 residents, were 1% above the UK average, a figure that may be explained by the city's mix of academic and residential populations. Shoplifting, however, stood out as the most significant deviation, with 1.7 per 1,000 residents—174% above the UK average. This statistic, while not showing month-on-month change, raises questions about the effectiveness of current retail security measures in Cambridge's high-traffic areas. Anti-social behaviour, though slightly below the UK average (7% lower), remained a persistent concern, particularly in areas with high student turnover. The city's crime profile thus illustrates the challenges of managing public safety in a place where academic, commercial, and residential interests intersect.

June 2024 saw a 22.6% increase in theft from the person, rising from 31 to 38 incidents. This spike coincides with the start of summer, when tourist activity in Cambridge's historic districts may contribute to opportunistic crimes. Vehicle crime also rose by 13.2%, with 43 reported incidents, a figure that may reflect increased parking in university car parks during the summer term. Conversely, public order offences fell by 23.0%, from 152 to 117, a decline consistent with the quieter pace of life outside peak tourist seasons. The most striking anomaly remains shoplifting, which remains 174% above the UK average at 1.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure, though unchanged from previous months, underscores the ongoing challenge faced by retail businesses in Cambridge's central areas. Bicycle theft, at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, is 678% above the UK average, a statistic that reflects the city's large student population and the vulnerability of bikes in shared spaces.

Cambridge's crime rate in June 2024 fell to 10.1 per 1,000 residents, a 5.3% decrease from May's 10.7 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of university towns, where summer holidays and reduced foot traffic in academic areas may temporarily lower reported crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 50 crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the city's population density and its status as a hub for higher education. Over the course of June, one reported crime occurred for every 99 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Cambridge slightly above the UK average for similar-sized urban areas. The population context highlights the city's unique challenges: with 149,352 residents, Cambridge's crime profile is shaped by a combination of student populations, retail activity, and transient housing. While the overall rate remains elevated, the month-on-month drop suggests a possible stabilisation in crime trends following the peak of academic term-related incidents in May.