Cambridge Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences remain the dominant category in Cambridge's crime profile for November 2024, comprising 28.1% of all reported crimes. With a total crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents, the area sits 9.2% above the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy is driven by the high proportion of violent crimes, which individually record 2.3 per 1,000 — 11% below the UK average for this category — but collectively amplify the local rate due to their concentration. The seasonal context of November, marked by dark evenings and the approach of Bonfire Night, may partly explain fluctuations in public order and anti-social behaviour reports. Shoplifting, at 1.3 per 1,000, emerges as a significant concern, 88% above the UK average, reflecting the area's retail density and the potential impact of Black Friday shopping activity. Meanwhile, bicycle theft remains high, recording 757% above the UK average at 0.6 per 1,000, a pattern consistent with Cambridge's student population and cycling infrastructure. The crime mix shows a strong property-crime component, with shoplifting and criminal damage and arson accounting for 31.6% of all reports, though this balance may shift further with seasonal transitions and local events.

November 2024 saw notable shifts in Cambridge's crime profile, with vehicle crime surging by 96.2% compared to the previous month, rising from 26 to 51 incidents. This increase, though unexplained by the data, coincides with the darker evenings of late autumn, which may reduce visibility for drivers and cyclists alike. Burglary also rose by 26.8%, from 41 to 52 cases, a trend that could be linked to the holiday season's increased home occupancy and potential vulnerabilities in security. Conversely, robbery decreased by 55.0%, dropping from 20 to 9 incidents, reflecting a seasonal lull in opportunistic theft during the colder months. The breakdown reveals stark contrasts with national averages, particularly in shoplifting (88% above UK levels) and bicycle theft (757% above), both of which are likely tied to the city's academic and retail environment. Public order offences, however, fell by 38.8% to 60 cases, influenced by the absence of major festivals or events in November compared to other months. For residents, the 96.2% increase in vehicle crime highlights the need for heightened vigilance in parking areas and car security measures.

Cambridge's November 2024 crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents marks a 10.1% decline from the previous month's rate of 9.2 per 1,000, a shift that may reflect seasonal changes or local enforcement efforts. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 41 crimes per day in November, a figure that underscores the persistent presence of crime in a densely populated urban environment. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 120 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide statistics, provides context for individual risk perception. This rate is higher than the UK average, which is 7.6 per 1,000, but the decline from October suggests potential stabilization in the local crime picture. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cambridge's crime burden, while significant, is not uniquely extreme compared to other urban centres, though specific categories like shoplifting and bicycle theft remain outliers. These figures, when contextualized with the city's demographic profile — including its large student population and retail density — illustrate the combination of factors shaping local crime patterns.