Stretham Crime Rate

Stretham is a highly secure urban settlement in East Cambridgeshire, featuring an excellent safety score of 92/100. The area's overall crime rate is just 32.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Most impressively, Stretham has seen a sharp decreasing trend, with a 38.8% fall in reported incidents year-over-year, indicating a rapidly improving safety landscape for its 2,470 residents. Property crime is also very low at 10.9 per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of 32.9. These statistics reflect a peaceful community where major criminal activity is rare, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a secure and stable residential environment.

Crime in Stretham

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Stretham, accounting for 39.2% of all reports. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.2% and a tie between burglary and criminal damage and arson, each making up 10.1%. These figures indicate that while interpersonal and community issues are the main drivers of crime, property offences represent a significant portion of local activity.

The overall property crime rate in Stretham is 10.9 per 1,000 residents, which is about one-third of the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, burglary (3.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (2.4 per 1,000) are the primary concerns. For homeowners, the burglary rate is high enough to warrant serious attention, representing one in ten of all reported crimes. When combined with vehicle crime and other theft, it is clear that while Stretham is safe overall, residents should focus on robust home and vehicle security to protect against targeted property offences.

Crime Trends in Stretham

The crime trend in Stretham is currently decreasing significantly, with a substantial 38.8% fall in total reported incidents over the last 12 months. This sharp downward movement is an excellent sign for the village, suggesting a major improvement in the local safety landscape. Monthly data shows that after a peak of 4.5 per 1,000 residents in November 2024, the rate has generally trended downwards, reaching lows of 1.2 in May and June 2025.

Although there was a slight rise to 4.1 in September 2025, the overall trajectory has been consistently lower than the previous year. These variations are typical for an area with a population of approximately 2,470, where a small number of incidents can impact monthly percentages. For residents, this overall downward trend reinforce Stretham’s reputation as an increasingly safe residential area, though the occasional monthly spikes highlight the need for continued security awareness.

How To Keep Safe in Stretham

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Stretham. While the overall volume is low and decreasing, personal safety and community awareness are essential for maintaining the village's secure atmosphere.

1. Stay aware of your surroundings when walking through the village at night and try to stick to well-lit paths.
2. Join or support a local neighbourhood watch scheme to ensure that information about recent incidents is shared quickly among residents.
3. Ensure your property is well-lit with motion-sensor lighting, particularly around entry points and driveways, to discourage loitering.
4. Given the burglary rate, always ensure all windows and doors are securely locked, even when you are at home, and use high-quality locks on all entry points.
5. Secure your vehicle overnight, preferably in a garage or well-lit driveway, and consider using additional security devices like steering wheel locks.

Crime Timing in Stretham

Crime in Stretham follows a very specific temporal pattern with a high focus on property offences. Morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) periods see a high percentage of theft and burglary, with burglary peaking at 41% of incidents in the afternoon. This suggests that properties are frequently targeted during daylight hours when residents may be away from their homes.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the risk profile shifts toward vehicle-related offences and anti-social behaviour. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see burglary remain high at 34%. Overnight (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes the dominant concern, accounting for 39% of all reported incidents, while burglary also remains a significant risk at 35%. These patterns indicate that property owners in Stretham need to maintain high levels of security around the clock, with a particular focus on overnight vehicle protection and daytime home security.

In the context of the East Cambridgeshire region, Stretham is positioned as a very safe residential choice. Its crime rate of 32.0 per 1,000 is less than half that of nearby Wilburton (70.6). While it is more active than the exceptionally quiet, zero-crime villages of Little Thetford, Chittering, and Wicken, it offers a secure environment that is consistent with the low-crime character of the surrounding countryside. For residents, Stretham provides a balanced atmosphere that is much safer than larger regional towns while maintaining excellent safety standards. This local context reinforces the village's reputation as a secure and peaceful place to live.

Stretham’s excellent safety score of 92/100 and low property crime rate of 10.9 per 1,000 residents are hallmarks of a secure community. However, the fact that burglary and vehicle crime make up nearly 18% of all reports means that homeowners should still be proactive. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV, are often reactive—they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed. For true prevention, a more advanced approach is necessary.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that transforms standard cameras into an active defence system. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS detects potential threats at your property boundary before they can escalate into a break-in or vehicle theft. It can distinguish between your family, a delivery driver, and a suspicious individual loitering near your home. If a threat is identified, scOS can autonomously trigger lights and speakers to deter the intruder in real-time. This proactive deterrence is particularly effective against the burglary and vehicle crime seen in Stretham, stopping the crime before it happens rather than simply recording it for later review.