Cottenham Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Cottenham

Cottenham, a built-up area within South Cambridgeshire, records an overall crime rate of 53.3 per 1,000 people per year. This figure places Cottenham as a relatively safe community, especially when compared to the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a commendable safety score of 88 out of 100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 78, indicating a generally secure environment for its 6,881 residents. However, recent trends show an increasing trajectory, with a 7.9% rise in crime year-on-year. This upward shift warrants closer examination of the specific crime types and patterns to provide a comprehensive understanding of safety in Cottenham.

Crime Type Analysis in Cottenham

In Cottenham, the dominant crime types are Violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.9% of all reported crimes with 128 incidents (18.6 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent concern, representing 23.4% of crimes with 86 incidents (12.5 per 1,000). Criminal damage and arson ranks as the third most common crime, contributing 10.9% of the total with 40 incidents (5.8 per 1,000).

When considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Cottenham experiences a rate of 16.6 per 1.000 people per year. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crime figures include 23 burglaries (3.3 per 1,000), 16 other thefts (2.3 per 1,000), and 12 vehicle crimes (1.7 per 1,000). For residents, these statistics highlight the importance of securing personal property, particularly homes against burglary, and being aware of vehicle security, given the prevalence of criminal damage and arson.

Crime Trends in Cottenham

Cottenham has experienced an increasing crime trend over the last year, with a rise of 7.9% year-on-year. Analysing the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents reveals fluctuations throughout this period. The rate started at 4.7 in October 2024, saw a dip to 2.8 in December, before rising to 4.9 in January 2025. After a further dip to 2.2 in March, it generally trended upwards again, reaching a high of 5.8 in August, before ending at 5.1 in September 2025.

This fluctuating but overall increasing trend suggests that while there isn't a consistent month-on-month rise, the cumulative effect over the year has been an increase in crime. Residents should be aware of this upward trajectory and consider how it might impact their personal and property security. Understanding these patterns can help inform decisions about vigilance and protective measures within the community.

Crime Time Patterns in Cottenham

An analysis of crime patterns throughout the day in Cottenham reveals distinct shifts in activity. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), 'Other' crimes are most prominent, accounting for 41% of crimes, followed by theft-related offences at 30%. Burglary also represents a significant 18% during this period, suggesting vulnerabilities as residents commute or start their day. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), 'Other' crimes remain high at 35%, with theft remaining significant at 32%. Burglary sees a notable increase to 29% during the afternoon, likely targeting unattended properties.

The evening period (6pm-12am) experiences a notable shift, with 'Other' crimes becoming dominant at 56%, indicating a broader range of incidents beyond specific property crimes. Burglary remains a concern at 23%, while theft drops to 11%. Night-time (12am-6am) sees 'Other' crimes account for 40%, and vehicle crime represents 25%, making it a significant threat, likely when vehicles are left unattended. Burglary also remains high at 29%. These patterns highlight specific times when residents should be particularly vigilant about securing their property and vehicles.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context for Cottenham's crime statistics, it's helpful to compare it with neighbouring built-up areas. Rampton (South Cambridgeshire), Landbeach, Histon and Impington, and Longstanton and Northstowe are all in proximity and offer valuable comparisons. Cottenham's overall crime rate of 53.3 per 1,000, and a property crime rate of 16.6 per 1,000, can be benchmarked against these communities. Generally, smaller, more rural settlements like Rampton or Landbeach might exhibit lower crime figures. Histon and Impington, with similar characteristics, might present crime profiles that offer closer comparisons. This comparison helps residents understand Cottenham's position within the local safety landscape, highlighting its relative security despite the recent increasing trend.

Protecting Your Property in Cottenham

With Cottenham's property crime rate at 16.6 per 1,000 residents and an increasing overall crime trend, residents should consider robust home security. While traditional CCTV cameras can record incidents, they often provide footage of your burglary rather than preventing it. Similarly, many DIY systems offer after-the-fact notifications, leaving you to react once a crime is already in progress.

For those seeking a proactive approach, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers advanced protection. scOS prevents crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property boundary, acting as a visible deterrent that makes most burglars move on within their crucial 60-second decision window. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, never missing a detail, while features like DVLA vehicle verification identify suspicious vehicles instantly. scOS learns your household routines, ensuring that only genuine threats trigger an alert and an autonomous response, such as activating lights and engaging speakers. This professional-grade security shifts the focus from merely recording crime to actively intervening and preventing it, offering superior peace of mind for Cottenham residents.