Mepal Crime Rate

Mepal is a safe and quiet urban settlement in East Cambridgeshire, with an overall crime rate of 44.9 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area a high safety score of 90/100. The crime trend in Mepal is currently moving in a positive direction, with a 7.1% decrease in total incidents year-over-year. Property crime is also notably low at 13.8 per 1,000, which is less than half the national average of 32.9. These statistics reflect Mepal's status as a secure community where residents can enjoy a high degree of peace and safety.

Crime Breakdown in Mepal

Mepal's crime profile is primarily shaped by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 35.4% of all recorded incidents (23 crimes). This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 29.2% and criminal damage and arson at 15.4%. These three categories make up the bulk of police activity in the village.

Property crime in Mepal is relatively low at 13.8 per 1,000 residents, though it remains a significant factor for homeowners. Burglary is the most prominent property crime, accounting for 7.7% of all incidents (5 crimes), which is higher than many other low-crime villages. Other theft follows at 4.6%, while vehicle crime is minimal at 1.5%. For residents, the data suggests that while the overall risk is low, burglary is a more frequent occurrence than vehicle-related offences. With a safety score of 90/100, the area is secure, but the presence of burglary highlights the importance of maintaining robust home security.

Crime Trends in Mepal

Crime in Mepal is currently on a downward trend, with a 7.1% decrease in total incidents over the last year. This is a positive sign for the village. Monthly data shows that crime rates are generally low, with several months recording rates below 2.2 per 1,000 residents, such as December 2024, May 2025, and October 2025.

There were occasional spikes, such as in November 2024 and June 2025, when the rate reached 6.9 and 6.2 respectively. However, these appear to be isolated fluctuations rather than a sustained increase. The overall stability and recent decline in crime rates reinforce Mepal's position as a safe and secure community. For residents, this trend means that the area's high safety standards are being effectively maintained, providing continued peace of mind.

How To Keep Safe in Mepal

Anti-social behaviour is the most common crime type in Mepal, accounting for 35.4% of incidents. While often considered a nuisance, it can impact the quality of life. Here are some tips to stay safe and secure in Mepal:

1. Be an active member of the community; knowing your neighbours and looking out for each other is a powerful deterrent against anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
2. Given that burglary peaks at 35% during the night, ensure all doors and windows are securely locked before going to bed, and consider using window sensors for extra security.
3. Although vehicle crime is low (1.5%), always ensure your car is locked and that no valuables or bags are left in plain sight, even when parked on your own driveway.
4. If you notice persistent anti-social behaviour in specific areas of the village, report it to the local East Cambridgeshire police to help them target their patrols effectively.
5. Install a proactive security system that can alert you to suspicious activity on your property boundary, allowing you to take action before an incident occurs.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Mepal

The timing of crime in Mepal reveals significant shifts in risk throughout the day. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft-related offences are most common, accounting for 40% and 39% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are more frequent during hours of higher village activity.

However, the risk of burglary follows a different pattern, increasing as the day progresses. Burglary makes up 18% of morning crimes, rising to 29% in the afternoon, 25% in the evening, and peaking at a significant 35% during the night (12am-6am). Conversely, theft drops to its lowest point of 9% during the night. This data indicates that while the daytime is more prone to petty theft, the night-time hours are the primary period for more serious home intrusions, making overnight security a critical priority for Mepal residents.

In the local context of East Cambridgeshire, Mepal is one of the safer settlements. It has a crime rate (44.9) very similar to nearby Sutton (43.0). However, it is slightly more active than the very small neighbouring hamlets of Witcham, Wenny Severals, and Wardy Hill, all of which reported zero crimes in the latest data. Despite being more active than these tiny hamlets, Mepal remains a very low-crime area overall, offering a secure environment that compares favourably to larger towns in the region. For those looking for a balance between village life and safety, Mepal is an excellent choice.

Mepal's burglary rate, while low, accounts for 7.7% of all crime and is most prevalent during the night. For homeowners, this means that traditional reactive security measures may not be enough. Standard CCTV cameras often only provide footage of a burglary after it has happened, which does little to prevent the initial intrusion or the loss of property.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between a stray animal and a person loitering near your home at 2am. When a potential threat is identified, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like security lights or audio warnings, effectively stopping a crime before it begins. This proactive approach is particularly suited to Mepal's crime profile, where preventing the 35% of night-time incidents that are burglaries can significantly enhance your home's security and your own peace of mind.