Swaffham Prior Crime Rate

Swaffham Prior is a safe residential settlement with an overall crime rate of 48.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area a high safety score of 87/100. The crime trend in Swaffham Prior is currently on a downward trajectory, with a 12.3% reduction year-over-year. This positive shift reinforces the area's reputation as a secure and peaceful community within East Cambridgeshire. While violence and sexual offences are the most common reports, the volume of property-related crime like burglary and vehicle theft remains very low. For those living in or considering a move to Swaffham Prior, these statistics offer a high degree of reassurance regarding local safety and security.

Crime in Swaffham Prior

Swaffham Prior's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.0% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 26.0%, and vehicle crime at 8.0%. Other common reports include public order offences (6.0%) and criminal damage (5.0%).

Property crime in Swaffham Prior, including burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offences, occurs at a rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.9, making Swaffham Prior a very safe environment for homeowners. Burglary specifically accounts for only 4.0% of total crimes, and vehicle crime sits at 8.0%. For residents, these figures suggest that while the area is generally quiet, vehicle security is a slightly higher priority than residential break-ins. The data shows that vehicle crime is particularly prevalent at night, making up 61% of incidents in that period. This indicates that proactive vehicle security is important for maintaining the high safety standards of the community.

Crime Trends in Swaffham Prior

The crime trend in Swaffham Prior is currently on a downward trajectory, with a year-over-year decrease of 12.3%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows a generally low crime rate, typically ranging between 1.9 and 7.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. The lowest points were recorded in December 2024 and February 2025 (1.9), while the highest peak occurred in June 2025 (7.3).

Other notable months include July and August 2025 (5.8) and March 2025 (4.9). These fluctuations are common in smaller populations where a few isolated incidents can impact the statistical rate, but the overall trend remains positive. The reduction in crime over the last 12 months suggests that Swaffham Prior is becoming even safer and that local security efforts are proving effective. For residents, this downward trend provides peace of mind that the area maintains its status as a secure and peaceful community. Overall, Swaffham Prior continues to be one of the safest areas in the region with an encouraging safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Swaffham Prior

The most common crime in Swaffham Prior is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.0% of total reports. While the area is generally very safe, maintaining personal awareness is important for community security.

To stay safe in Swaffham Prior:

1. Be mindful of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening hours or in less populated residential areas.
2. Ensure your vehicle is parked in a secure garage or well-lit driveway, as vehicle crime is the most concentrated threat at night, peaking at 61% between 12am and 6am.
3. Keep your home's exterior well-lit to discourage anti-social behaviour, which is the second most common offence in the area.
4. Report any suspicious activity or unusual loitering to the local non-emergency line to help maintain the area’s downward crime trend.
5. Consider joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme to enhance community vigilance and keep Swaffham Prior as one of the safest areas in East Cambridgeshire.

Crime Timing in Swaffham Prior

Crime in Swaffham Prior shows distinct trends depending on the time of day. Morning and afternoon hours are primarily characterised by theft-related offences (20-27%) and burglary (14-29%), suggesting that opportunistic property crimes are more likely during the day.

The evening and night-time periods see a significant shift. In the evening (6pm - 12am), vehicle crime rises to 35% of incidents, alongside anti-social behaviour. However, the most critical trend occurs during the night (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime spikes dramatically to 61% of all recorded offences in that window. Burglary also remains a factor throughout the day and night, hovering around 14-29%. These patterns indicate that while daytime security should focus on preventing theft and burglary, night-time vigilance is absolutely essential for vehicle safety, which becomes the dominant concern after midnight.

Comparing Swaffham Prior to its immediate neighbours shows it is a safe area within the local cluster. It is more secure than Bottisham, which has a higher crime rate of 51.8 per 1,000 residents. Swaffham Prior’s rate of 48.6 is slightly higher than Burwell (38.6). Only the tiny hamlets of Swaffham Bulbeck and Lode, which recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000, are safer in the immediate vicinity. For residents, this positions Swaffham Prior as a high-performing area for safety within the region, offering a very low-crime environment compared to the national average.

Home Security and Prevention in Swaffham Prior

Swaffham Prior’s property crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people is impressively low, but the 12.3% decrease in overall crime shouldn't lead to complacency. A key insight from the data is that vehicle crime spikes dramatically at night, accounting for 61% of all incidents between 12am and 6am. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it's happened, which is of limited use for preventing theft.

For residents in Swaffham Prior, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative. Instead of just recording a car being broken into, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at the property line. It can automatically engage deterrents like lighting or audible warnings, destroying a criminal's confidence before they even reach your vehicle. In a safe area like Swaffham Prior, being the most difficult target on the street is often enough to make opportunistic thieves move on. Proactive AI security ensures that your home and vehicles remain protected by an intelligent system that acts in real-time to prevent crime.