Burwell Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Burwell's crime profile in February 2026 reveals a distinct balance between property-related and violent offences, shaped by the area's character as a small built-up community within East Cambridgeshire. The overall crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents places the area 43.8% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime environment compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (26.1% of total crimes), shoplifting (26.1%), and anti-social behaviour (17.4%), with property crimes making up 56.5% of the total. This suggests a focus on retail and community-based crime patterns, consistent with the area's mix of residential and small-scale commercial spaces. Seasonal context for February—typically a low-activity winter month—may contribute to the relative stability in violent crime rates, though the sharp rise in shoplifting and burglary warrants closer examination. The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.3 per 1,000) is 61% below Burwell's rate, yet shoplifting here is 55% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), highlighting a unique local dynamic. This balance of crime types, with property crimes dominating, aligns with the area's character as a low-density built-up area where retail premises and local businesses may be more vulnerable to targeted theft. The low overall rate, however, suggests effective community policing or environmental factors that reduce opportunities for crime compared to larger urban centres.

February 2026 saw sharp month-on-month changes in key crime categories, with shoplifting increasing by 500% (from 1 to 6 incidents) and burglary rising by 300% (from 1 to 4). These spikes contrast with a 25% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 8 to 6. The property crime-to-violent crime ratio shifted significantly, with property crimes making up 56.5% of total crimes compared to 26.1% for violent offences, a reversal of the previous month's balance. This shift may reflect seasonal factors, as February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull could reduce opportunities for violent crime while increasing indoor retail theft. Shoplifting's 55% above UK average (0.6 per 1,000) and burglary's 140% above UK average (0.2 per 1,000) indicate local vulnerabilities that diverge from national patterns. Residents might find the 500% rise in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests targeted retail theft that could be linked to specific local businesses or community events. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour also doubled from January, though it remains 34% below the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), indicating that while incidents are rising, they are still relatively low in Burwell.

Burwell's crime rate in February 2026 rose by 35.5% compared to January's 2.6 per 1,000, marking a notable shift in the local crime profile. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 28-day month, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 282 residents. This ratio provides context for residents, showing that while the rate is low, the absolute number of crimes is still perceptible in a community of 6,484 people. When compared to the UK average, Burwell's overall crime rate remains significantly lower, but the sharp increase in shoplifting and burglary highlights areas where local conditions may differ from national trends. The 35.5% monthly rise in the crime rate is tempered by the area's consistently low baseline, which is 43.8% below the UK average. This suggests that while Burwell is not a high-crime area, the recent uptick in specific crime types warrants attention from local authorities. The population-scaled perspective—1-in-282 residents affected monthly—offers a tangible measure for residents to gauge their personal risk, though it remains far below the national average. These figures underscore the importance of targeted interventions to address the specific crime types showing recent increases, while maintaining the broader success of keeping overall crime levels low.