Cottenham Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,881, Cottenham recorded 37 crimes in April 2024, equating to 5.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 29.9% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 12 incidents (32.4% of total crimes), followed by other theft (5 incidents, 13.5%) and burglary (4 incidents, 10.8%). These figures align with the area’s character as a built-up residential community within South Cambridgeshire, where lower population density and a mix of housing types may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain crimes. Seasonal factors in April—Easter celebrations, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—likely influenced patterns, with public spaces seeing heightened use. While violent crime remains a concern, the overall crime profile suggests a stable environment, with rates for anti-social behaviour and shoplifting significantly below UK averages. The lower property crime rate compared to the national average may reflect a combination of community engagement, local policing strategies, and the area’s relatively compact nature, which could deter opportunistic offences. However, the 87% increase in burglary rates compared to the UK average (0.3 vs 0.6 per 1,000) highlights a specific vulnerability that warrants attention, linked to targeted property crime in residential areas.

April 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting, burglary, and other crime all doubling from March (100% increase), while anti-social behaviour decreased by 33.3%. This spike in shoplifting—rising from 1 to 2 incidents—may reflect increased foot traffic during Easter, though the category remains 55% below the UK average. Burglary, now at 4 incidents (0.6 per 1,000), is 87% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, suggesting a localised vulnerability that could be tied to residential properties in the built-up area. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences—12 incidents (1.7 per 1,000)—remain 34% below the UK average, indicating effective community interventions or a lower prevalence of alcohol-fuelled incidents compared to larger urban centres. The sharp decline in anti-social behaviour (from 6 to 4 incidents) might be linked to seasonal changes, with warmer weather reducing indoor gatherings. Residents should note that burglary rates, though still low overall, are significantly higher than the UK average, a fact that may inform local safety measures.

Cottenham’s crime rate in April 2024 rose 42.3% compared to March’s 3.8 per 1,000.9% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day, a figure that may feel manageable for residents but warrants vigilance given the recent spikes in burglary and shoplifting. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 186 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised with Cottenham’s population size, suggests that the area’s built-up nature and community-oriented environment may inherently reduce the likelihood of crime compared to more sprawling or densely populated regions. However, the 87% increase in burglary compared to the UK average highlights a disparity that could be influenced by factors such as housing density or local policing priorities. For residents, understanding that 1 in 186 people experienced a crime in April provides a tangible measure of risk, while the overall rate remains reassuringly below national benchmarks. This contrast between local and national trends underscores the importance of tailored approaches to crime prevention in smaller, semi-rural built-up areas like Cottenham.