Soham Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 11,223 residents, November 2023 saw 63 crimes reported in Soham, equating to a crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 people. This rate is 25.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, placing the built-up area within East Cambridgeshire among the safer communities nationally. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 38.1% of all reported incidents (24 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (18 cases, 28.6% of total) and burglary (5 cases, 7.9%). These patterns align with November's seasonal context: the month includes Bonfire Night, which may contribute to increased anti-social behaviour, and the onset of darker evenings, which could influence the timing of violent incidents. Property crimes, while lower than the UK average for burglary (47% below) and shoplifting (27% below), showed a notable spike in burglary (+400% month-on-month). This surge may reflect heightened vulnerability during the holiday season, though no direct causal link can be confirmed. The relatively low rate of violent crime compared to the UK average (19% below for violence and sexual offences) suggests that Soham's community and local policing efforts may be effectively mitigating risk factors associated with urban environments. However, the area's proximity to major transport routes and its role as a commuter hub could still influence property crime trends, particularly during periods of increased foot traffic or vehicle movement.

November 2023 saw sharp increases in several crime categories, with burglary rising by 400% month-on-month (1 to 5 cases) and shoplifting jumping by 300% (1 to 4 cases). This escalation in property crime contrasts with a 50% drop in public order offences (2 to 1 case) and criminal damage and arson (2 to 1 case), which may reflect reduced activity during the darker November evenings. The breakdown of crime types reveals a mixed picture compared to the UK average: while violence and sexual offences are 19% below the national rate (2.1 vs 2.6 per 1,000), anti-social behaviour is 52% above (1.6 vs 1.1 per 1,000), suggesting local factors such as community dynamics or policing focus may be influencing these disparities. Vehicle crime in Soham is 40% below the UK average (0.3 vs 0.5 per 1,000), due to the area's lower density of car parks or higher levels of vehicle security awareness. Residents might find the 400% increase in burglary particularly concerning, as it indicates a significant shift in crime patterns that could warrant additional precautionary measures, such as securing vehicles or homes during the holiday season.

The crime rate in Soham rose by 16.6% from 4.8 per 1,000 in October 2023 to 5.6 per 1,000 in November, reflecting a notable upward trend over the past month. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 2 crimes reported per day in the built-up area, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents are occurring. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 178 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while relatively low compared to the UK average, underscores the importance of community vigilance. This rate is particularly significant when considering Soham's population size: for a town of just over 11,000 residents, the 63 reported crimes represent a manageable number, though the spikes in specific categories like burglary necessitate closer attention. The comparison to the UK average also highlights the area's relative safety in certain domains, such as vehicle crime (40% below) and shoplifting (27% below), which may be attributable to local initiatives or environmental factors. However, the 52% increase in anti-social behaviour above the UK average suggests that targeted interventions could be beneficial in addressing this particular challenge. For residents, these figures provide a clear benchmark against which to assess personal risk and community safety, while also emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between local authorities and the public.