Cambourne Crime Rate

Cambourne Crime Statistics

Cambourne is a relatively safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 56.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to an excellent safety score of 87/100. The crime trend in Cambourne is currently stable, showing only a 1.7% change year-over-year. As a newer development in South Cambridgeshire, Cambourne benefits from modern planning and a community-focused environment, resulting in crime levels that are well below many comparable UK towns.

Crime Breakdown in Cambourne

In Cambourne, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 41.4% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 16.7% and shoplifting at 14.0%. The overall property crime rate—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and theft—is 17.9 per 1,000 residents.

While Cambourne is a modern and generally safe settlement, the presence of shoplifting and vehicle crime indicates that opportunistic offences are the primary property-related concerns. Burglary rates are notably low at just 0.8 per 1,000, but the combined total of theft-related offences suggests that residents should remain vigilant regarding personal property and vehicle security in this growing urban area.

Crime Trends in Cambourne

The crime trend in Cambourne is stable, with a minor 1.7% change over the last 12 months. Monthly data shows significant fluctuations; the year started with a peak of 6.5 per 1,000 in November 2024, followed by a sharp drop to 4.0 in January 2025.

Activity remained relatively low through the spring and summer, with a notable dip to just 3.0 per 1,000 in August 2025. However, rates began to climb again in the autumn, reaching 5.1 in September. This pattern suggests that Cambourne is not seeing a sustained increase in crime, but rather occasional spikes in activity that are quickly resolved or mitigated.

How To Keep Safe in Cambourne

The highest recorded crime type in Cambourne is violence and sexual offences. To enhance your safety in this urban environment, consider the following tips:

1. Stick to well-lit, primary pedestrian routes when walking between the Great, Lower, and Upper Cambourne areas at night.
2. Be aware of your surroundings near local shopping precincts where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are more frequent.
3. Ensure your vehicle is locked and no valuables are left on display, as vehicle crime accounts for 4.5% of local offences.
4. Engage with local community groups and the Cambourne social media pages to stay informed about any recent suspicious activity.
5. If you witness anti-social behaviour, report it to the local police to help them identify and monitor hotspots.

Cambourne Time Patterns

Crime in Cambourne shows distinct temporal patterns. Mornings are often dominated by theft-related offences (44%), likely coinciding with the opening of local businesses and schools. As the day progresses into the afternoon, theft remains high at 46%, while burglary incidents also see a slight increase.

The evening hours see a shift, with "other" crimes—frequently including anti-social behaviour—rising to 54%. The night period is when vehicle crime is most prevalent, accounting for 40% of offences between 12am and 6am. This suggests that while daytime activity is largely commercial and opportunistic, the late-night hours present the highest risk for vehicle owners and residential property boundaries.

Regional Comparison

Compared to nearby areas, Cambourne (56.0) sits in a middle ground of activity. It is significantly safer than Highfields Caldecote, which has a higher rate of 67.4 per 1,000. Conversely, smaller neighbouring villages such as Caxton, Bourn, and Elsworth all report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 in this dataset. This suggests that as a larger, more populated built-up area, Cambourne naturally experiences more urban-style crime than its rural neighbours, though it remains a very safe choice within the region.

Protecting Your Cambourne Property

With a property crime rate of 17.9 per 1,000 in Cambourne, the focus for homeowners should be on preventing opportunistic theft. Many residents rely on standard video doorbells, but these are often reactive, only capturing footage of a theft as it happens. In a modern settlement like Cambourne, proactive security is far more effective.

The scOS operating system provides a proactive layer of intelligence that standard systems lack. It uses AI to monitor your property boundaries, detecting potential intruders before they reach your front door. For Cambourne residents, scOS’s ability to learn daily routines—such as regular deliveries or family movements—means it only alerts you to genuine threats. By using autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers, scOS can deter a criminal in the crucial 60 seconds they take to decide whether to target a property, moving them on before any damage is done.