Ely Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2023, Ely's crime profile revealed a distinct balance between property and violent crime, with 42 property crimes and 37 violent crimes reported. This 50-50 split contrasts with the UK's broader trend, where property crime typically dominates. The area's overall crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents placed it 44.4% below the UK average of 8.1, highlighting a consistently lower risk environment. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.9% of all crimes, significantly below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (a 47% gap). Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 17.2%, also well below the UK's 1.4 per 1,000. The data suggests a safer community profile, likely influenced by Ely's character as a historic market town with a strong sense of community. Seasonal factors may also play a role: August, a peak holiday month, typically sees increased tourism and empty homes, which could theoretically elevate burglary risks. However, burglary rates in Ely (0.2 per 1,000) were 41% below the UK average, indicating effective local measures or natural deterrents. The prominence of violence and sexual offences, though lower than national levels, may reflect the town's mix of residential and commercial areas, where interpersonal conflicts can arise. This balance between crime types offers a nuanced picture of Ely's safety landscape, suggesting that while violent crime remains a concern, the town's overall crime environment is markedly safer than the UK average.

August 2023 saw significant month-on-month shifts in Ely's crime mix. Shoplifting surged by 120%, rising from 5 to 11 incidents, possibly linked to increased retail activity during the summer. Bicycle theft also doubled, with 2 reported cases compared to 1 in July, a trend that may reflect seasonal cycling patterns or targeted thefts in specific areas. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 74.2%, dropping from 31 to 8, likely due to reduced vehicle presence during school holidays or heightened security measures. Criminal damage and arson fell by 55.6%, from 9 to 4 incidents, influenced by the same seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences remained 47% below the UK average, with 37 incidents reported in August. This category, though the most common in Ely (31.9% of all crimes), was significantly lower than the national rate of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also remained well below the UK average, at 0.8 per 1,000 compared to 1.4 nationally. For residents, the sharp decline in vehicle crime offers a tangible benefit, as fewer vehicles are targeted during the summer months. However, the rise in shoplifting may warrant closer attention from local businesses, particularly in high-traffic areas.

Ely's crime rate in August 2023 (4.5 per 1,000) marked a 12.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.2, reflecting a continued downward trend. Over the 31 days of August, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 221 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while low, provides context for residents: statistically, a typical Ely resident had a 1-in-221 chance of being directly affected by crime in August. When scaled to Ely's population of 25,642, this means 116 crimes were distributed across the community, with no single area bearing a disproportionate share. The previous month's rate (5.2) was higher, suggesting that August's decline may be part of a broader seasonal pattern. For comparison, the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000 highlights Ely's consistently lower risk environment. The daily crime figure of 4 incidents per day is particularly useful for residents assessing their personal risk: it means that, on average, a crime occurred every 7.75 hours in August. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which would equate to roughly 8 crimes per day in a similarly sized area. The monthly exposure figure of 1-in-221 further underscores the safety of Ely relative to national benchmarks, offering reassurance to residents about the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts.