Cambridge Crime Rate March 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime profile in March 2025 reveals a troubling pattern of escalation, with the city's overall crime rate standing at 9.9 per 1,000 residents—26.9% above the UK average. This divergence from national trends is most pronounced in categories tied to the city's unique characteristics: shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent crime type, accounting for 28% of all reported incidents, a rate 3% above the UK average. The shoplifting figure, at 1.8 per 1,000 residents, is 165% higher than the national average, likely driven by the city's high concentration of retail outlets and student population. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.5 per 1,000, also exceeds UK levels by 20%, a pattern consistent with the density of university campuses and student accommodation. Bicycle theft, at 0.8 per 1,000, is 1,233% above the UK average, reflecting the large number of cyclists in the city. The seasonal transition to spring may have contributed to these trends, as lengthening evenings and warmer weather could increase opportunities for certain crimes. However, the sharp rise in drug-related offences (+61.1%) and possession of weapons (+57.1%) suggests additional factors at play, such as changes in policing strategies or shifting social dynamics on university campuses. While the city's crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, the data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

March 2025 saw significant increases in drug-related crimes (+61.1%) and possession of weapons (+57.1%), both of which are now 26% and 43% above UK averages respectively. Bicycle theft also rose sharply by 54.8%, reaching 113 incidents—a rate 1,233% higher than the UK average. These spikes contrast with the 14% decrease in burglary, which fell to 37 incidents from 43 in February. The data reveals a stark shift in crime mix, with violent crimes accounting for 28% of all reported incidents (415 cases), significantly higher than the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour, at 18% of total crimes, also exceeded national benchmarks by 20%. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high foot traffic, as shoplifting and public order offences have both increased, with the former being 165% above UK levels. The rise in drug-related crimes may be linked to the university's term-time dynamics.

Cambridge's crime rate in March 2025 rose to 9.9 per 1,000 residents, a 23.7% increase from February's 8.0 per 1,000. This places the city 26.9% above the UK average, a gap that has widened over recent months. On a daily basis, 48 crimes were reported in March, translating to roughly one crime for every 101 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate remains consistent with prior years, the upward trend in violent and property crimes raises concerns for residents. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Cambridge's crime profile is affected by specific categories, such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, which are significantly above national averages. This suggests that local factors—such as the university's student population and high street activity—may partly explain the divergence from UK-wide trends. The comparison with February also underscores the volatility in crime patterns, with no clear seasonal dampening effect observed despite the transition to spring.