Cottenham Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Cottenham's crime rate in June 2023 remained significantly lower than the UK average, standing at 3.6 crimes per 1,000 residents—57.6% below the national figure of 8.5. This rate reflects a continued trend of low crime in the built-up area of South Cambridgeshire, where local factors such as community cohesion and infrastructure may contribute to the stability. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (12 incidents, 48% of total), followed by public order (2 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (2 incidents). These figures align with the area's character as a relatively compact, low-density built-up zone with limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres. Seasonal context also plays a role: June marks the start of summer, with longer days potentially increasing public activity in local parks and open spaces, which may influence the frequency of public order and anti-social behaviour incidents. Despite this, the overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, suggesting that local governance, policing strategies, or demographic factors such as a stable population may be effective in maintaining low crime levels. The data also highlights the dominance of violent crimes, which could be linked to specific local dynamics such as social interactions in public spaces or the absence of high-risk areas like major transport hubs or nightlife districts. However, the absence of significant spikes in property crime or theft from the person suggests that the area's physical layout or community engagement may act as a deterrent to such offences.

June 2023 saw a 4% increase in Cottenham's overall crime rate, rising from 3.5 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This small upward trend contrasts with the area's overall low crime profile but warrants attention to specific shifts in crime types. Other crime, other theft, and vehicle crime all doubled from previous month figures, with each category rising from one incident to two. This could indicate seasonal factors such as increased outdoor activity or changes in local events that attract more vehicles or transient populations. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and public order offences both decreased: anti-social behaviour fell by 50% (from 4 to 2 incidents), and public order dropped by 33.3% (from 3 to 2). These reductions may reflect the impact of local initiatives, community policing, or the natural fluctuation of summer activities. The breakdown of crimes also reveals that violence and sexual offences remain significantly below the UK average (42% lower), while other crime is 33% above the national average—a rare outlier in an otherwise low-crime area. This discrepancy may be due to the small number of incidents, which can lead to greater variability in comparisons. For residents, the doubling of vehicle crime is a tangible concern, as it suggests a need for heightened awareness of vehicle security during the summer months.

Cottenham's crime rate in June 2023 was 3.6 per 1,000 residents, a 4% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.5. This slight rise, however, is negligible when viewed against the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, highlighting the area's continued status as a low-crime locality. On a daily basis, Cottenham recorded roughly one crime per day in June, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 275 residents. This ratio is exceptionally low compared to larger urban areas, where higher population densities often correlate with increased crime rates. The area's population of 6,881 means that the absolute number of crimes (25) remains manageable, with the majority of incidents concentrated in specific categories such as violence and sexual offences. When compared to the UK average, Cottenham's violent crime rate is 42% below the national figure, which may be attributable to the area's smaller size, limited commercial activity, and possibly stronger social networks that reduce opportunities for violent incidents. The monthly exposure figure also provides context for residents: for someone living in Cottenham, the chance of experiencing a crime is far lower than in most other parts of the country, reinforcing the area's reputation as a safe, low-crime built-up zone. While the 4% month-on-month increase is a minor concern, it does not significantly alter the broader narrative of sustained low crime levels.