Cambridge Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge’s crime rate in October 2025 stood at 9.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 18.2% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal dynamics and local characteristics. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 27.7% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and shoplifting (11.6%). The seasonal context of October—shorter days, the clocks going back, and Halloween—likely influenced patterns, with increased public spaces occupied by visitors and students. While violence rates remained 6% below the UK average, shoplifting and bicycle theft stood out as high, with shoplifting at 75% above the UK average and bicycle theft at 525% above. These figures align with Cambridge’s identity as a university city, where student populations and retail hubs may drive such trends. The spike in anti-social behaviour, though 11% above the UK average, could be linked to the start of term or increased social activity in the town centre. The overall rate, however, highlights a need for targeted interventions in areas with consistently elevated crime types.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in drug-related offences, which surged by 90.7% from 54 to 103 incidents. This jump, though not explicitly tied to seasonal factors, may reflect broader societal trends or local pressures. Conversely, burglary and robbery both declined—burglary fell by 20.0% (from 55 to 44) and robbery by 18.8% (from 16 to 13)—possibly due to increased police patrols or seasonal deterrence from darker evenings. Shoplifting, at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, remained 75% above the UK average, a figure that contrasts with the 11.6% share of total crimes it accounted for. Bicycle theft, at 0.5 per 1,000, was 525% above the UK average, a statistic that would concern cyclists in the city’s historic and university districts. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour, though a smaller share of total crimes (15.3%), was 11% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the density of student populations and the vibrancy of the city’s social hubs.

Cambridge’s crime rate in October 2025 rose to 9.1 per 1,000 residents, a 5.4% increase from the previous month’s rate of 8.6 per 1,000. This translates to approximately 44 crimes reported per day, a figure that, while consistent with Cambridge’s population density, highlights the persistent challenge of maintaining public safety in a bustling urban environment. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 110 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide statistics, underscores the need for localised strategies. Cambridge’s population of 149,352 means that even relatively small shifts in crime rates can have measurable impacts on communities. For example, the 103 drug-related offences recorded in October would equate to roughly 0.7 per 1,000 residents, a figure that, when scaled to the population, represents 109 individuals potentially affected by such incidents. These statistics, when contextualised within the city’s academic and cultural fabric, reveal both the resilience and the vulnerabilities of a place where student life and tourism intersect with the challenges of urban living.