Swaffham Prior Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Swaffham Prior

Swaffham Prior, an urban settlement within East Cambridgeshire, records an overall crime rate of 49.6 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Swaffham Prior as a comparatively safer area. The community also holds a strong safety score of 87 out of 100, exceeding the UK average of 78. In terms of recent trends, Swaffham Prior has experienced a positive period, showing a decrease of 14.3% in total crimes year-over-year. These statistics offer a clear overview of the current crime landscape in Swaffham Prior.

Crime Type Analysis in Swaffham Prior

An analysis of crime types in Swaffham Prior reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most significant category, accounting for 46.1% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 22.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most common offence, making up 26.5% of crimes at 13.1 per 1,000 people. Vehicle crime ranks as the third most frequent, representing 8.8% of the total, with a rate of 4.4 per 1,000. These three categories highlight the predominant types of criminal activity within the area.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes vehicle crime, burglary, criminal damage and arson, and other theft, Swaffham Prior registers a rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. The exceptionally low property crime rate is reassuring for residents and homeowners, indicating a reduced risk. However, maintaining awareness of these specific crime types can still help residents implement targeted security measures to protect their homes and possessions effectively.

Crime Trends in Swaffham Prior

Swaffham Prior has experienced a positive crime trend over the past year, with a decrease of 14.3% in overall reported crimes compared to the previous 12-month period. An examination of the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents reveals some fluctuations, indicating periods of varying activity. While there were notable peaks in June, July, and August 2025, reaching 7.3, 5.8, and 5.8 per 1,000 respectively, the lowest rates were observed in December 2024 and February 2025, both at 1.9 per 1,000. These monthly figures suggest that despite minor variations, the overall picture for Swaffham Prior is one of improving safety and reduced criminal activity. For residents, this decreasing trend reinforces the area's reputation as a secure place to live.

Crime Time Patterns in Swaffham Prior

An analysis of crime patterns throughout the day in Swaffham Prior reveals distinct shifts in criminal activity. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), vehicle crime is a significant concern at 42%, with burglary at 18% and theft at 19%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), burglary becomes the most significant factor at 36%, alongside theft at 25% and vehicle crime at 18%. The evening period (6pm-12am) sees vehicle crime dominating at 38%, with burglary at 25% and 'other crimes' at 30%. Overnight (12am-6am), vehicle crime is overwhelmingly prevalent, representing 63% of incidents, with burglary at 20%. This hourly breakdown highlights the varying risks and types of crime prevalent at different times, enabling residents to tailor their vigilance accordingly.

Regional Crime Comparison

To provide regional context for Swaffham Prior's crime statistics, it is beneficial to compare it with similar nearby areas. With an overall crime rate of 49.6 per 1,000 and a good safety score of 87/100, Swaffham Prior presents a positive safety profile. Bottisham, a nearby settlement, records a very similar crime rate of 51.8 per 1,000 and a safety score of 88/100, suggesting comparable safety levels. In contrast, Burwell appears safer, with a crime rate of 35.3 per 1,000 and an outstanding safety score of 92/100. Other close-by areas such as Swaffham Bulbeck and Lode, while not detailed here, contribute to the broader regional crime landscape. This comparison helps residents understand Swaffham Prior's relative safety within its immediate geographical context.

Protecting Your Home in Swaffham Prior

Given Swaffham Prior's remarkably low property crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people, which is significantly below the national average, it remains a smart choice for residents to consider robust home security. Traditional security solutions, such as conventional CCTV cameras, primarily offer reactive recording; they provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred. However, true peace of mind stems from prevention, not just post-incident evidence. Consider proactive security measures that deter crime before it happens.

AI-powered systems like scOS offer advanced prevention by detecting threats at your property boundary. Unlike reactive systems, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor all areas simultaneously, learning routines to distinguish between family, deliveries, and genuine threats. This enables an autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers to deter potential intruders, effectively destroying their element of surprise. For those serious about protecting their homes, professional-grade equipment like scOS signals serious protection, making burglars think twice within the critical 60-second decision window and encouraging them to move on to easier targets.