Ely Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35.6% of reported crimes in Ely during September 2023, making them the most prevalent category despite remaining 53% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This stark contrast with the national rate highlights Ely’s unique crime profile, where the rate of 3.5 per 1,000 is 56.2% below the UK’s overall 8.0 per 1,000. The area’s relatively low crime levels align with its character as a small, historic market town with a stable residential population and limited commercial density. Seasonal factors in September—such as the return to school and university term beginnings—may have influenced minor fluctuations. Anti-social behaviour (18.9% of total crimes) and shoplifting (10.0%) followed as the next most common categories, both remaining well below UK averages. The balance between violent and property crimes was equal, with 32 each, suggesting no pronounced shift in crime dynamics during the month. This equilibrium contrasts with larger urban areas where property crime often dominates. The low overall rate, combined with the absence of major crime clusters, reinforces Ely’s position as a relatively safe built-up area within East Cambridgeshire.

September 2023 saw a 50% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 2 to 3 incidents—a modest uptick that may reflect seasonal activity as students return to local universities. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 75%, dropping from 8 to 2, potentially linked to reduced summer traffic or increased parking security measures. Public order offences also declined sharply by 72.7%, with reported incidents falling from 11 to 3, a change consistent with the transition from late summer to early autumn, when large gatherings in public spaces tend to diminish. Violence and sexual offences remained the most frequent category, yet their rate of 1.3 per 1,000 was 53% below the UK average, underscoring Ely’s continued safety relative to national trends. The equal split between violent and property crimes (32 each) suggests no significant shift in crime mix compared to previous months, though the absence of major spikes in anti-social behaviour or burglary indicates a stable local environment. These patterns may reflect Ely’s compact geography and strong community cohesion, which likely contribute to lower crime rates despite the seasonal influx of students and commuters.

Ely’s September 2023 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 marked a 22.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.5 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 3 crimes per day, a figure that provides context for residents assessing local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 285 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average and suggests a low likelihood of personal victimisation. This statistic, when scaled to Ely’s population of 25,642, illustrates that the vast majority of residents experienced no crime during the month. The comparison to the previous month’s rate highlights a positive trajectory, though it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue into the winter months. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Ely’s crime levels are proportionally much lower than those in larger urban centres, where higher population density and greater socioeconomic diversity often correlate with elevated crime rates. These figures, while local to Ely, align with broader patterns observed in similarly sized towns across the UK, where community-focused policing and low commercial activity contribute to sustained safety.