St Neots Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

August 2024 saw St Neots record a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 40.2% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (32.4% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (24.3%) and criminal damage and arson (12.7%). This pattern aligns with the area's character as a mixed-use town with retail and residential zones, where violent incidents often cluster around late-night activity and anti-social behaviour in public spaces. Seasonal factors may have played a role, as August is typically a peak holiday month, potentially increasing foot traffic in commercial areas. However, the drop in burglary rates compared to earlier in the year suggests that measures such as increased home security during the summer holidays may have contributed to this trend. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (30% below UK) and vehicle crime (33% below UK) could reflect the town's relatively low population density and limited retail presence compared to larger urban centres. These findings illustrate how local geography and seasonal rhythms interact to shape crime patterns, even as broader national trends persist.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in August 2024 was a 166.7% increase in shoplifting, rising from 6 to 16 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 125% rise in public order offences (from 4 to 9), highlights shifting dynamics in the town's crime profile. While violent crime remained the largest category (32.4% of all crimes), its rate of 1.6 per 1,000 was 41% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors such as community policing or demographic composition may be influencing outcomes. Burglary fell by 83.3% compared to July, with only one incident reported in August after six in the prior month. This decline may be linked to increased home security measures during the summer, though the seasonal context of August as a peak holiday month could also mean more homes were unoccupied. The drop in drug-related crimes (75% decrease) and other crimes (66.7% decrease) further underscores the volatility of certain categories. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting may signal the need for heightened vigilance in retail areas, particularly during the late summer tourist season.

August 2024 marked a 2.3% increase in St Neots' crime rate compared to July (4.8 to 4.9 per 1,000), though the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average. On a daily basis, the town recorded approximately 6 crimes per day, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 202 residents. This ratio, while modest, reflects the area's lower population density compared to major urban centres. When compared to the previous month, the shift in crime types—from a focus on burglary and drugs in July to shoplifting and public order offences in August—illustrates how seasonal and environmental factors can reshape crime patterns. The town's built-up area status within Huntingdonshire likely contributes to a mix of property and violent crime, but the consistently low burglary rate (100% below UK average) suggests that local initiatives or geographic features may be deterring such crimes. For context, the daily crime count in St Neots is roughly 60% lower than the UK average, which stands at around 10 crimes per day in similar-sized areas. These figures provide a tangible sense of the relative safety of the area, even as specific categories like shoplifting show notable spikes.