St Neots Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

St Neots' crime profile in November 2023 reveals a striking anomaly: 'Other crime' rose 54% above the UK average, a rare outlier in an otherwise low-crime area. The overall crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents placed the built-up area 29.3% below the national average, reflecting a pattern consistent with smaller urban centres where community cohesion often suppresses broader criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences dominated the breakdown, accounting for 33.2% of all reported crimes—despite being 34% below the UK average for this category. This suggests local factors, such as the town's proximity to Cambridge and its role as a commuter hub, may temper violence rates through higher police visibility and lower population density than typical urban areas. Seasonal pressures in November, including dark evenings and the Black Friday shopping period, likely contributed to spikes in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The absence of significant increases in vehicle crime or burglary—both 40% and 41% below UK averages respectively—further supports the idea that St Neots' relatively sparse retail and residential environments limit opportunities for these offences. However, the unusual elevation in 'Other crime' highlights a need for closer examination of unclassified or emerging crime types that may not align with typical patterns in similar areas.

November 2023 saw a 400% surge in possession of weapons offences, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a sharp contrast to the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000 residents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, warrants attention as it diverges significantly from the area's usual crime mix. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell 35.9% compared to October, likely due to the closure of seasonal events and reduced foot traffic during the month. The category of 'Other crime' also jumped 133%, with 7 incidents reported—a 54% increase over the UK average. This suggests either an underreporting of similar offences in other areas or a specific local factor influencing this category. Conversely, other theft plummeted 86.7%, possibly linked to the reduction in high-street activity following Black Friday. The crime mix remained skewed towards violent offences (33.2%) and anti-social behaviour (13.6%), but the UK average for violence (2.6 per 1,000) was still 34% lower than the national rate. Residents may find the 13.6% drop in anti-social behaviour particularly relevant, as it indicates a potential reduction in disturbances during the evening hours when the area's limited nightlife typically peaks.

St Neots' crime rate in November 2023 (5.3 per 1,000) marked a 12.3% decrease from the previous month's 6.0 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend observed in recent months. This translates to roughly 6 crimes per day across the built-up area's 35,008 residents—a figure that, while non-zero, remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 190 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively stable and low-risk environment compared to larger urban centres. The population-scaled perspective reveals that St Neots' crime profile is distinct from both its rural neighbours and major cities: while its rate is 29.3% below the UK average, it is not immune to seasonal fluctuations. The 133% rise in 'Other crime' and 400% increase in weapon possession highlight the need for targeted monitoring of non-traditional offence categories. These figures also underscore the importance of localised crime analysis, as national averages may obscure regional variations. For residents, the combination of low overall rates and specific spikes in certain categories illustrates the combination of national crime trends and local dynamics that shape St Neots' unique profile.