Cambridge Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 saw Cambridge's crime rate reach 7.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 10% above the UK average of 7.0. This shift in the crime balance reflects a notable trend: for the first time since 2023, violent crime outpaced property crime, with 364 violent incidents recorded compared to 460 property crimes. The dominance of violence and sexual offences (31.5% of total crimes) over shoplifting (13.2%) and anti-social behaviour (12.7%) suggests a combination of seasonal factors and the city's demographic makeup. Cambridge's status as a university city with a transient population likely contributes to this pattern, as transient communities often see higher rates of interpersonal conflict during the festive season. The data also shows a stark seasonal influence: with Christmas shopping, party season, and extended dark evenings, property crime rates typically dip during December, while violent crime rises. However, this month's figures show an unusual reversal, with violent crime increasing by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2024. The rise in violence and sexual offences may partly explain the relatively lower property crime rate, as the city's retail sector—typically a hub for shoplifting—saw fewer incidents during the holiday period. This balance between crime types raises questions about whether the festive season's social dynamics are amplifying interpersonal tensions more than usual, particularly in areas with high student populations.

December 2025 marked a 12.2% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 131 to 147 incidents. This surge may be linked to the party season and extended evening hours, with local venues reporting higher attendance during the festive period. Bicycle theft also rose by 7.5% (53 to 57), a figure that is 700% above the UK average. This anomaly could be attributed to the city's cycling infrastructure, which sees high usage year-round, though the exact reason for the December increase remains unclear. Conversely, theft from the person plummeted by 63.6% (44 to 16), likely reflecting reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the Christmas holidays. The city's drug-related crimes were 122% above the UK average, with 92 incidents recorded. This figure, while concerning, may be consistent with Cambridge's academic environment, where illicit drug use has historically been a persistent issue. The most striking UK comparison comes from shoplifting, which was 75% above the national average. This could indicate vulnerabilities in Cambridge's retail security measures, particularly during the holiday season when stores are often understaffed. The month-on-month decrease in vehicle crime (55 to 38, -30.9%) is worth noting, due to fewer parked vehicles in residential areas during the Christmas break.

Cambridge's crime rate in December 2025 (7.7 per 1,000) represented a 9.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.5 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, suggests a stabilization in the city's crime trends following a spike in October and November. On a daily basis, Cambridge experienced an average of 37 crimes per day in December, a figure that, while locally significant, does not directly compare to national daily crime statistics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 129 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualized with Cambridge's population of 149,352, illustrates the relative density of crime within a city of this size. This monthly exposure rate is comparable to other major urban centres in the UK, though the city's above-average violent crime rate sets it apart. The previous month's rate was higher, suggesting that the December figures may reflect a temporary dip rather than a long-term trend. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Cambridge's crime rate, though above the UK average, is still lower than many similarly sized cities in England and Wales. This could be attributed to the city's strong policing presence, community engagement initiatives, and the relative affluence of its residents, which may deter certain types of crime.