Cambridge Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime profile in September 2025 reveals a distinct mix of offences that reflects the city's character as a major university hub. The overall crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents places the area 16.2% above the UK average, a figure that underscores the influence of the local population structure. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, accounting for 27.6% of all reported incidents, followed closely by shoplifting (14.7%) and anti-social behaviour (14.5%). This pattern aligns with the seasonal rhythm of September, a month marked by the return of university students and the start of the academic year. The increased presence of students in the city centre, coupled with the vibrant social scene around colleges and pubs, likely contributes to the higher incidence of violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the shoplifting rate is strikingly anomalous, at 113% above the UK average. This may be partially explained by the high footfall in retail areas such as the High Street and the Cambridge Retail Park, which attract both residents and visitors. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (25% below the UK average) and theft from the person (23% below) suggest that targeted policing efforts or the city's infrastructure may be deterring these specific types of crime. Seasonal factors such as the transition from summer to autumn, with shorter evenings and the start of term-time activities, could also influence the balance between property and violent crimes. While direct causation, the combination of demographic and environmental factors in Cambridge appears to shape its unique crime profile.

September 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with some trends diverging sharply from the UK average. The most significant decrease was in theft from the person, which fell by 71.8% compared to the previous month, dropping from 39 to 11 incidents. This sharp decline may be attributed to heightened security measures in public transport hubs and the reduced foot traffic in the evenings as the academic term began. Conversely, burglary increased by 17%, rising from 47 to 55 incidents. This uptick could be linked to the return of students to university accommodation and the increased number of unoccupied properties during the summer break. Shoplifting also experienced a notable decline, decreasing by 31.8% to 189 incidents, reflecting the impact of targeted retail security initiatives or the seasonal slowdown in tourist activity. Meanwhile, the city's shoplifting rate remains significantly elevated compared to the UK average, at 113% higher. This anomaly highlights the challenges faced by Cambridge's retail sector in managing theft, despite the month-on-month improvement. Other crime categories such as criminal damage and arson (13% above UK average) and drugs (54% above) also show marked disparities, suggesting that the city's unique social and economic dynamics play a role in these statistics. These variations provide valuable insights for residents and local authorities, emphasizing the need for tailored crime prevention strategies that address both immediate and long-term trends.

Cambridge's September 2025 crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents represents a 14.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 10.0 per 1,000. This decline, while significant, still leaves the area 16.2% above the UK average, highlighting the persistent challenges in maintaining a crime rate that aligns with national benchmarks. On a daily basis, the city experiences an average of 43 crimes per day, a figure that, when contextualized against the local population, equates to one reported crime for every 116 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of the frequency of crime in Cambridge, though it does not capture the daily fluctuations or the impact of specific incidents on individual communities. The city's population of 149,352 residents further underscores the scale of the challenge, as even modest crime rates can translate to a large number of incidents in absolute terms. While the overall rate has decreased, the disparities in specific crime categories remain stark. For instance, the shoplifting rate remains 113% above the UK average, and bicycle theft is 471% higher, both of which point to unique vulnerabilities in Cambridge's urban environment. These comparisons illustrate the need for targeted interventions that address the specific factors contributing to these elevated rates, such as the density of retail spaces and the high number of cyclists in the city. By examining the data through both a local and national lens, residents and policymakers can better understand the context of Cambridge's crime statistics and work towards effective solutions.