East Cambridgeshire Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2024, East Cambridgeshire recorded a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 42.7% below the UK average of 8.2. This figure translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 214 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low risk faced by individuals in the area. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.3% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 20.9% and other theft at 8.5%. These patterns suggest a community grappling with interpersonal conflicts and property-related issues, though at a scale significantly lower than national trends. Seasonal factors appear to play a role in shaping these figures: August, as a peak holiday month, may have contributed to increased burglary risks due to empty homes, though this category remained 38% below the UK average. Conversely, shoplifting, which often correlates with high street activity, saw a notable decline of 63.2% compared to July, potentially reflecting reduced retail footfall or heightened security measures. The overall crime profile of East Cambridgeshire, characterised by its rural landscape and lower population density, aligns with a pattern where property crimes are less frequent than in urban centres, but violent incidents remain a persistent concern. This balance of crime types suggests a community where localised tensions and occasional lapses in security are more influential than large-scale criminal activity.

August 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns across East Cambridgeshire. Drug-related crimes surged by 71.4%, with reported incidents rising from 7 to 12. This increase may reflect seasonal changes in substance use or heightened police visibility during holidays. Conversely, shoplifting fell sharply by 63.2%, dropping from 68 to 25 incidents, a decline that could be attributed to reduced retail activity or more effective prevention strategies. Vehicle crime also increased by 33.3%, with 20 reported cases compared to 15 in July, linked to summer travel patterns or changes in parking habits. Meanwhile, theft from the person plummeted by 85.7%, from 7 to 1 incident, a statistic that may offer reassurance to residents concerned about personal safety. The crime mix remains skewed towards violent and anti-social offences, with violence and sexual offences at 1.6 per 1,000 (34.3% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour at 1.0 per 1,000 (20.9%). These rates are 41% and 31% below the UK average respectively, highlighting East Cambridgeshire’s distinct profile. The only category exceeding the UK average was 'other crime', which rose by 54.5% to 17 incidents.2 per 1,000 remains modest compared to national benchmarks. Residents may find the 63.2% drop in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a measurable reduction in retail crime during a typically busy holiday period.

East Cambridgeshire’s August 2024 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 represents a 25.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.3, illustrating a clear downward trend. This decline contrasts with the UK average, where crime rates typically remain more stable across months. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 14 crimes per day in August, a figure that, while significant in absolute terms, is proportionally lower than many urban counterparts. When contextualised against the local population of 92,906, the monthly exposure of one crime per 214 residents provides a tangible measure of risk for individuals. This statistic is particularly meaningful for families and property owners, as it suggests a relatively low likelihood of experiencing a crime over the course of a month. The comparison to the UK average also reveals structural differences: for instance, violent crime in East Cambridgeshire was 41% below the national rate, a disparity that may reflect the area’s rural character and lower population density. Meanwhile, the 58% shortfall in shoplifting compared to the UK average underscores the effectiveness of local retail security measures or the limited commercial activity typical of the region. These comparative figures illustrate a community where crime is less frequent but not absent, with the daily and monthly metrics offering residents a concrete way to gauge their personal risk in relation to both national trends and local conditions.