March Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 21,434 residents, 171 crimes reported in December 2024 translates to one reported crime for every 125 residents over the course of the month. This rate of 8.0 crimes per 1,000 population places March 12.7% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (73 incidents, 42.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16 incidents) and shoplifting (14 incidents). These patterns align with the seasonal rhythm of December, a month marked by extended evening darkness, holiday shopping activity, and the presence of empty homes during the Christmas break. The elevated rate of violence and sexual offences may partly explain the 33% increase over the UK average for this category, potentially influenced by the convergence of social gatherings and reduced visibility in public spaces. Shoplifting rates also rose sharply, with 14 incidents recorded—23% above the UK average—likely driven by increased foot traffic in retail areas during the festive season. The area’s built-up nature within Fenland, a largely rural region, may contribute to concentrated patterns of property crime and anti-social behaviour in its central districts.

December saw dramatic fluctuations in specific crime categories compared to November. Drug-related crimes surged by 500%, jumping from one to six incidents—a stark increase that may reflect heightened illicit activity during the festive period. Shoplifting also rose sharply, with a 366.7% increase from three to 14 incidents, suggesting a direct link to Christmas shopping pressures. Possession of weapons rose by 300%, with four incidents recorded, potentially tied to increased alcohol consumption or social gatherings. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 71%, from 31 to nine incidents, due to fewer cold-weather-related incidents or improved community vigilance. Other crime also dropped by 50%, from 12 to six incidents, indicating a temporary reduction in unclassified or low-level offences. These shifts highlight the month’s volatility, with some categories aligning with UK averages (e.g. burglary at 3.5 per 1,000, 3% below the UK average) while others, like bicycle theft (500% above the UK average), reveal stark localised trends. For residents, the 23% rise in shoplifting compared to the UK average offers a concrete insight into seasonal vulnerabilities in retail security.

December’s crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000 residents marked a 6.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.5 per 1,000, suggesting a slight moderation in criminal activity despite the festive season. On a daily basis, 6 crimes were reported per day in December—a figure that, while consistent with the area’s built-up character, remains lower than the national average when scaled to population size. Over the course of the month, the 1-in-125 resident exposure rate provides a tangible measure of risk for local households, though this figure is contextually lower than the UK’s average monthly exposure when adjusted for population density. The 12.7% gap above the UK average underscores the area’s unique challenges, particularly in violence and sexual offences, which are 33% higher than the national benchmark. However, the sharp decline in criminal damage and arson—now at 9 incidents compared to 31 in November—suggests that targeted interventions or seasonal factors may have temporarily reduced this category. These comparisons highlight the interplay between local conditions and national trends, with March’s built-up Fenland environment requiring tailored approaches to address its specific crime profile.