East Cambridgeshire Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated East Cambridgeshire’s crime profile in March 2024, accounting for 38.4% of all reported crimes. This category, with 173 incidents at a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents, was 29% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, a divergence that may reflect the area’s rural character and lower population density. Anti-social behaviour (74 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (43 incidents) followed as the next most prevalent categories, both significantly below national averages. The district’s overall crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents marked a 36.4% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.7, a gap that persisted despite a 10.7% month-on-month increase in total crimes. Seasonal context suggests that the transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks moving forward, may have influenced patterns, though the absence of major urban centres or nightlife hubs likely limits the scope for violent crime to rise further. The relatively low incidence of property crimes—such as burglary (25 incidents) and vehicle crime (18 incidents)—compared to the UK average indicates a broader trend of community-focused policing and low-risk environments. These factors, combined with the area’s infrastructure, may contribute to the sustained gap between East Cambridgeshire’s crime profile and national statistics, even as specific categories like shoplifting show sharp increases.

March 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+127.3%) and vehicle crime (+50.0%), reflecting potential seasonal shifts in retail activity and travel patterns. Theft from the person also doubled, rising from 1 to 2 incidents, a figure that may signal heightened awareness or targeted activity in specific areas. Conversely, anti-social behaviour decreased by 17.8% (90 to 74), possibly linked to local initiatives or changing community dynamics. Violent crime, though remaining the dominant category (38.4% of total), was 29% below the UK average (2.7 vs 3.6 per 1,000). Burglary also fell by 16.7% (30 to 25), a decline consistent with broader trends in property crime. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of local factors and national benchmarks, with East Cambridgeshire’s crime profile continuing to diverge from UK averages in several key categories.

East Cambridgeshire's crime rate in March 2024 rose 10.7% from the previous month, moving to 4.9 per 1,000 residents from 4.4. This increase, while modest, reflects a shift in seasonal patterns as the area transitions to spring, with evenings lengthening and clocks moving forward. On a daily basis, the district recorded 15 crimes per day in March, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 206 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable areas. The population-scaled perspective highlights the relative safety of the district, with violent crime and sexual offences remaining 29% below the UK average. This contrast with national trends underscores the distinct characteristics of East Cambridgeshire, where rural infrastructure and community policing may contribute to sustained low crime levels despite the seasonal uptick in certain categories.