Godmanchester Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 9,228 residents, Godmanchester recorded 43 crimes in July 2023, equating to a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 people. This figure is 43.4% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, placing it among the safer areas in the country. The breakdown of incidents reveals a distinct pattern, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 41.9% of all crimes—18 cases—making it the most common category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 20.9%, with 9 reported incidents, and other theft at 11.6%, involving five cases. These figures highlight a focus on interpersonal crime over property-related issues, which is consistent with the area's character as a compact built-up area within Huntingdonshire. July, a peak summer month with schools out and tourism at its height, likely influences these patterns. Increased outdoor activity and events may contribute to a higher incidence of violent crimes, while the lower population density could reduce opportunities for property crimes. However, the data also shows a notable dip in public order offences, which fell by 83.3% from six to one, suggesting a reduction in disturbances typically associated with nightlife or crowded public spaces. This contrast between violent and public order crimes may reflect the town's smaller size and community-focused environment, where local interventions could be more effective. The overall picture illustrates a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics, with the crime profile aligning more closely with rural or semi-rural areas than densely populated urban centres. As such, the relatively low crime rate and the distribution of incident types offer insights into the unique challenges and strengths of Godmanchester's policing and community engagement strategies.

July 2023 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons doubling to two incidents—150% above the UK average for this category. This spike, though small in absolute terms, raises questions about potential local factors influencing such a sudden increase. Conversely, public order offences fell by 83.3%, from six to one, a significant drop that may reflect the town’s compact size and lower population density, which could limit opportunities for disturbances typically associated with crowded public spaces. The overall crime mix also shifted, with violent crimes (18) accounting for 41.9% of total incidents, compared to property crimes (11) at 25.6%, indicating a slight increase in violent crime relative to property crime. This shift is notable as it contrasts with previous months and suggests a changing landscape in the types of incidents being reported. Anti-social behaviour, though down by 10%, remained 30% below the UK average, highlighting the effectiveness of local interventions targeting nuisance behaviour. Vehicle crime, which doubled to two incidents, is 58% below the UK average, influenced by seasonal factors such as increased visitor presence during summer festivals or events. These variations underscore the need for ongoing analysis to understand the underlying causes and ensure that local strategies remain responsive to emerging trends.

The crime rate in Godmanchester dropped by 10.4% from June’s 5.2 per 1,000 to 4.7 per 1,000 in July 2023, reflecting a continued decline in reported incidents. Over the course of the month, this equates to roughly one crime being reported per day, a manageable frequency for residents of the town. When scaled to the population, this means that one reported crime occurred for every 215 residents over the 31-day period, a figure that is well below the UK average. The town’s population of 9,228 further underscores the low volume of crimes, with 43 incidents recorded—a number that, while not negligible, is proportionally minimal. This low incidence rate is consistent with the area’s character as a compact built-up area within Huntingdonshire, where the combination of a smaller population and community-focused policing may contribute to the sustained reduction. The geographic factors, including proximity to rural zones, could also play a role in limiting opportunities for certain types of crime, such as vehicle-related offences or commercial burglary. These elements, when considered alongside the seasonal context of July—peak summer with increased tourism and outdoor events—help explain the relatively low crime profile and the specific patterns observed in the breakdown of incident types.