Peterborough Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Peterborough

Peterborough's crime rate stands at 124.2 per 1,000 people per year, which is notably higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area has a safety score of 71 out of 100, indicating a moderate level of safety compared to the national average of 78/100. Over the past year, crime in Peterborough has remained stable, showing a slight increase of 1.2% year-on-year. This overview provides a foundational understanding of the local crime landscape before delving into more detailed statistics and trends.

About Peterborough

Peterborough is a vibrant city with a diverse urban environment that significantly influences its crime statistics. As a major transport hub, particularly with its busy railway station, it experiences a transient population which can sometimes correlate with higher rates of certain crime types. The city centre, with its extensive retail, hospitality, and nightlife offerings, naturally sees elevated levels of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. Economic factors, including areas of deprivation, can also play a role in the prevalence of property crime and other offences. Understanding these characteristics helps to contextualise the crime rate and safety score observed within the local authority district.

Crime Type Analysis in Peterborough

An analysis of crime types in Peterborough reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 10,323 incidents or 37.1% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 46.2 per 1,000 people. Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 4,838 incidents (17.4% of the total), equating to 21.6 per 1,000 people. Shoplifting ranks as the third most frequent crime, with 2,276 reported cases, representing 8.2% of total crime and a rate of 10.2 per 1,000 residents.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Peterborough records a rate of 39.7 per 1,000 people per year. This is higher than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, criminal damage and arson stands at 9.7 per 1,000, vehicle crime at 6.0 per 1,000, other theft at 6.7 per 1,000, burglary at 3.5 per 1,000, bicycle theft at 1.4 per 1,000, robbery at 1.1 per 1,000, and theft from the person at 1.1 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these figures highlight the importance of securing personal belongings and properties, particularly given the higher-than-average property crime rate.

Crime Trends in Peterborough

Peterborough has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a slight year-over-year increase of 1.2%. Analysing the monthly data provides further insight into this pattern. The crime rate per 1,000 people saw fluctuations, starting at 10.6 in October 2024 and dipping to its lowest at 8.6 in December 2024. Following this, there was a gradual rise through the spring and summer months, peaking at 11.8 in July 2025, before slightly decreasing to 10.3 by September 2025. This suggests a seasonal pattern, with higher crime rates observed during the warmer months. For residents, a stable trend, albeit with seasonal variations, means that overall risk levels have not dramatically shifted, but vigilance during peak crime periods remains advisable.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When comparing Peterborough to its neighbouring areas, a clearer regional context emerges. Fenland, Rutland, Huntingdonshire, South Holland, North Northamptonshire, and South Kesteven all offer different crime landscapes. Peterborough's overall crime rate of 124.2 per 1,000 is notably higher than some of its more rural counterparts, reflecting its urban characteristics. For instance, areas like Rutland and South Kesteven often present lower crime figures due to their demographics and less dense populations. Conversely, other larger districts like North Northamptonshire may show similar patterns. This comparison helps residents and those considering moving to the area to understand Peterborough's position within the wider regional safety profile, highlighting its unique challenges and characteristics compared to its diverse neighbours.

Property Protection in Peterborough

Given Peterborough's property crime rate of 39.7 per 1,000 people, which is above the UK average, residents may wish to consider robust home security measures. Traditional security approaches, such as standard CCTV cameras, often provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, acting as a reactive recording system rather than a preventative one. For those seeking proactive protection, systems like scOS offer an alternative by utilising AI to detect threats at the property boundary before a break-in can even happen.

This advanced, multi-camera intelligence can watch all cameras simultaneously, learning your routines to only alert on genuine threats, such as catching fake vehicle plates instantly with DVLA verification. The goal is to prevent crime, not just record it. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; a visible, professional-grade deterrence like scOS can make them move on, destroying the element of surprise with autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers. While DIY systems have their place for basic notification, a professional solution focuses on real-time intervention and prevention, offering a significant advantage in safeguarding your property in Peterborough.