Cambourne Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 marked an unexpected twist in Cambourne’s crime profile, with shoplifting rates surging to 1.0 per 1,000 residents—75% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This anomaly stands in stark contrast to the area’s overall crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000, which was 40.8% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. The top crime type, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 48.0% of all reported incidents, yet its rate of 2.0 per 1,000 was 22% below the UK average. This divergence raises questions about the factors driving such a pronounced gap between Cambourne’s violent crime rates and the national trend. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the closure of some homes during the holidays—may have created conditions conducive to shoplifting, despite the area’s broader safety profile. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.4 per 1,000, was 57% below the UK average, suggesting that the built-up nature of Cambourne, with its mix of residential and commercial spaces, may foster a more community-oriented environment that deters such offences. The interplay of local demographics and seasonal rhythms appears to have shaped this month’s crime picture, with the low overall rate underscoring the effectiveness of local measures in maintaining public safety, even as specific categories like shoplifting deviate from expectations.

December 2024 revealed a sharp shift in Cambourne’s crime profile, with shoplifting emerging as a notable outlier. At 1.0 per 1,000 residents, shoplifting rates were 75% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the overall crime rate that remained 40.8% below the national average. This discrepancy may partly explain the 24.0% share of total crimes attributed to shoplifting, despite the area’s generally low crime environment. Meanwhile, other theft and public order offences saw significant declines, with other theft falling 66.7% (from 3 to 1) and public order offences dropping by 50.0% (from 2 to 1). These reductions, consistent with seasonal patterns, suggest that holiday-related disruptions—such as empty homes and reduced retail activity—may have temporarily curtailed opportunities for such crimes. For residents, the daily crime rate of 2 per day offers a tangible snapshot of the local context, reinforcing the area’s comparative safety despite isolated spikes in specific categories.

December 2024 saw Cambourne’s overall crime rate fall to 4.2 per 1,000, a 35.1% drop from the previous month’s 6.5 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns in built-up areas, where holidays and reduced foot traffic may temper crime opportunities. On a daily basis, Cambourne recorded roughly two crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while local to the area, reflects the low overall rate compared to national averages. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 237 residents highlights the relatively sparse nature of criminal activity in this South Cambridgeshire built-up area. This figure is particularly striking when contrasted with the UK average, where residents face a far higher likelihood of encountering crime. The combination of a stable population and seasonal factors—such as the Christmas shopping peak and reduced evening activity—likely contributes to this lower exposure, though the exact relationship remains speculative without further data.