Cottenham Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.9% of reported crimes in Cottenham during December 2023, with a rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents. This category was 50% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, marking a stark contrast to national trends. The area’s overall crime rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents placed it 56.9% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, a disparity consistent with its character as a built-up area within South Cambridgeshire. While violent crimes dominated (9 incidents), property crimes (7) and anti-social behaviour (4) followed, reflecting a mix of local dynamics. Seasonal factors such as Christmas shopping, party season, and dark evenings typically influence crime patterns, yet Cottenham’s figures suggest a unique combination of community resilience and geographic context. The lower-than-expected violence rate may align with the area’s relatively compact, residential layout, which could limit opportunities for large-scale incidents. This pattern is further reinforced by the absence of major commercial hubs or high-density housing, which are often associated with higher violent crime rates. The low burglary rate (0.4 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000) indicates no significant spikes in property crime, despite the holiday season’s usual impact on home security. These findings underscore Cottenham’s distinct position within the broader Cambridgeshire crime profile, where localized factors appear to temper national trends.

December 2023 saw a 300% surge in anti-social behaviour, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, while other theft and other crime both doubled from 1 to 2. These increases contrasted with sharp declines in vehicle crime (down 75% from 4 to 1) and criminal damage and arson (down 66.7% from 3 to 1). The crime mix shifted significantly, with violence and sexual offences retaining dominance but property-related crimes falling as a proportion of total incidents. Anti-social behaviour’s rate (0.6 per 1,000) remained 35% below the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), suggesting local measures may be effective in curbing such incidents despite the seasonal spike. The 50% gap between Cottenham’s violence rate (1.3 per 1,000) and the UK average (2.6 per 1,000) highlights a persistent trend, potentially linked to the area’s small, tightly knit communities where informal social controls may deter violent crime. Residents might find the 75% drop in vehicle crime particularly reassuring, as it indicates fewer incidents involving parked cars or motorcycles during the busy holiday period. This could reflect heightened awareness among residents or increased patrols in key areas.

Cottenham’s crime rate fell by 25.1% from 4.1 per 1,000 in November 2023 to 3.1 per 1,000 in December, a decline that aligns with the seasonal slowdown in property crime typically seen during the holiday period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day in December, a figure that, while modest, underscores the consistency of low-level incidents in a small community. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 328 residents, a statistic that provides context for the area’s overall safety profile. With a population of 6,881, this rate places Cottenham firmly in the lower quartile of UK crime statistics, particularly given the absence of major urban infrastructure or high-traffic zones that often correlate with higher crime rates. The monthly exposure metric (1-in-328) is more favourable than the UK average, which would likely be in the 1-in-100 to 1-in-150 range. This suggests that Cottenham’s residents face a significantly lower risk of being directly affected by crime compared to the national average, a trend that has been consistent across multiple reporting periods. The contrast with larger urban areas is stark, where densely populated regions often see crime rates double or triple those observed in Cottenham.