East Cambridgeshire Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

East Cambridgeshire's crime profile in April 2024 reveals a distinctive balance between property and violent crime, with the latter accounting for 34.8% of all incidents compared to 33.2% for property crimes. The area's overall crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents is 40.3% below the UK average of 7.7, a gap that underscores its relatively safe environment. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most prevalent category, comprising 150 incidents (34.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (18.3%) and shoplifting (9.3%). This distribution aligns with the area's characteristics as a largely rural district with limited urban centres, where public order and interpersonal disputes may be more common than in densely populated regions. Seasonal factors also appear to influence crime patterns, with the Easter period potentially contributing to increased shoplifting activity. However, the area's crime rates for property-related offences remain lower than the UK average, with shoplifting at 40% below and vehicle crime at 57% below. This contrast suggests that while violent crime is proportionally more significant in East Cambridgeshire, the overall safety of the area is reinforced by its lower rates of property crime. The interplay between local demographics—such as a likely older population in rural areas—and seasonal dynamics like Easter shopping may help explain these patterns, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections.

April 2024 saw a 60% increase in shoplifting, with 40 incidents reported—up from 25 in March. This rise may be linked to Easter shopping activity, though the rate remains 40% below the UK average. Conversely, burglary and vehicle crime both fell by 28% and 16.7% respectively, potentially reflecting seasonal changes in outdoor activity and the impact of Easter holidays reducing opportunities for such crimes. A striking anomaly was the 100% increase in possession of weapons, with five incidents reported compared to none in March. This category alone is 43% above the UK average, though it remains a small proportion of overall crime. The balance between property and violent crime shifted slightly, with violent crimes making up 34.8% of total incidents—slightly higher than property crimes (33.2%). This suggests a nuanced crime picture, where violent offences, though lower than the UK average, are proportionally more prominent than in other areas.

East Cambridgeshire's crime rate in April 2024 (4.6 per 1,000 residents) marks a 4.3% decrease from March's 4.9 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. Daily crime activity averages 14 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the local community. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 216 residents, a metric that highlights the relatively low exposure to crime compared to national averages. This monthly exposure rate is particularly notable when considering the area's population of 92,906, as it underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the inherent characteristics of the region that may contribute to lower crime rates. The decrease in burglary (-28%) and vehicle crime (-16.7%) aligns with seasonal patterns, as spring weather and Easter holidays may have reduced opportunities for such crimes. These reductions, coupled with the area's overall safety profile, suggest a stable environment where residents are less likely to experience crime than in other parts of the UK.