Soham Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Soham's crime profile in May 2024, contributing 45.6% of all reported crimes. The area's overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents places it 39.3% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a gap consistent with patterns in similar small built-up areas. The breakdown reveals a stark contrast to national trends: violent crimes, at 2.3 per 1,000, are 19% below the UK average for this category, while anti-social behaviour incidents are 52% below the national rate. This suggests a community with relatively low levels of interpersonal conflict and public disorder, though the prominence of violence raises questions about local factors. Seasonal context may partly explain the figures — May's longer evenings and bank holidays could have encouraged more outdoor socialising, contributing to the 26 violent offences recorded. Property crime, at 17 incidents, remains significantly lower than violent crime but still reflects a mix of burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offences typical of small towns with limited commercial zones. The area's low crime rate may be partly attributable to its rural-adjacent character, with fewer high-density residential areas and limited nightlife compared to larger urban centres. However, the dominance of violent crime over property crime is unusual for such areas, hinting at local dynamics that require further exploration.

May 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with bicycle theft rising 100% from zero to one incident — a rare occurrence in Soham that may reflect increased cycling during longer evenings. Public order offences also doubled, potentially linked to May's bank holidays and extended socialising hours. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 50%, from four to two incidents, due to seasonal retail activity patterns or targeted policing efforts. The area's violent crime category, though remaining 19% below the UK average, accounted for 45.6% of all crimes — a high share compared to the national profile where property crime typically dominates. Anti-social behaviour, while down 33.3% from 12 to eight incidents, still remains 52% below the UK average, suggesting effective community engagement strategies or lower levels of social friction. These figures highlight a combination of local demographics and seasonal rhythms, with the town's small size and rural proximity likely influencing both crime types and their frequencies.

Soham's crime rate rose 7.6% from 4.7 per 1,000 in April to 5.1 per 1,000 in May, reflecting a slight upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. On a daily basis, residents experienced roughly two crimes per day in May — a figure that, while low, underscores the visibility of crime in a small community where incidents are more likely to be noticed. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 197 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average of approximately one in every 120 residents. This disparity highlights Soham's unique position as a built-up area with a population of 11,223, where the combination of limited commercial activity and strong community networks may contribute to lower crime rates. The 100% increase in bicycle theft, while statistically significant, remains an isolated incident in a town where vehicle crime typically averages 0.5 per 1,000 — a rate 36% below the UK average. These figures provide a nuanced perspective for residents: while the overall risk of crime is low, the concentrated nature of violent offences and the potential for sudden spikes in specific categories warrant continued attention from local authorities.