St Ives (Huntingdonshire) Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

St Ives (Huntingdonshire) recorded a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents in March 2023, placing it 28.9% below the UK average of 7.6. This stark contrast to the national picture is most evident in shoplifting, which occurred at a rate of 0.1 per 1,000 — 80% below the UK average of 0.5. Such a pronounced divergence from typical patterns raises questions about local factors influencing retail crime. The area’s built-up character, likely shaped by a mix of residential and commercial spaces, may contribute to this anomaly. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.3% of all crimes, with 38 incidents reported — a rate of 2.3 per 1,000, 16% below the UK average. This category’s dominance aligns with the area’s likely proximity to social hubs or public spaces where such crimes are more concentrated. Other theft, at 0.7 per 1,000, was 19% above the UK average, suggesting a localised trend in property-related incidents. March’s transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks changing, may have influenced patterns of activity and visibility. The overall low crime rate, particularly in theft and burglary, contrasts with the UK’s higher national averages, indicating a possible combination of community characteristics, policing strategies, or socioeconomic factors that remain to be explored.

March 2023 saw a notable shift in crime composition, with violent crimes accounting for 41.3% of the total, compared to 16% of the UK average for this category. This imbalance suggests a localised concentration of violent incidents, possibly linked to the area’s social dynamics or specific locations prone to such activity. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates were 80% below the UK average, a striking deviation that may reflect either effective retail security measures or a lower incidence of opportunistic theft in the area. Other theft, at 19% above the UK average, highlights a specific vulnerability in property crime that requires further analysis. The rate of anti-social behaviour was 52% below the UK average, indicating a possible success in community engagement or local initiatives aimed at reducing such incidents. These disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the unique strengths and challenges of St Ives’ crime profile. Residents may find the 38 incidents of violence and sexual offences particularly relevant, as this category dominates the local crime profile and could influence perceptions of safety.

In March 2023, St Ives reported 92 crimes over 31 days, translating to an average of 3 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualised by the area’s small population of 16,924. This means that, over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 184 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area’s crime rate, at 5.4 per 1,000, is 28.9% below the national average, a disparity that becomes even more pronounced when considering specific categories. For example, the absence of shoplifting incidents at 0.1 per 1,000 — 80% below the UK average — suggests a localised success in retail crime prevention. Conversely, other theft at 0.7 per 1,000, 19% above the UK average, highlights a potential gap in property crime mitigation. These comparisons indicate that St Ives’ crime profile is shaped by a combination of factors, including its built-up nature and the effectiveness of local policing in addressing certain crime types. The low daily crime count, paired with a relatively small population, reinforces the area’s position as a safer environment compared to the UK average, though targeted efforts may still be needed to address the above-average rates in specific categories.