Cottenham Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Cottenham during August 2024 reveals a distinct pattern that reflects the area’s character as a low-density built-up community within South Cambridgeshire. With a total crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents—46.3% below the UK average of 8.2—the area remains significantly safer than the national average. The distribution of crime types highlights a balance between property and violent offences, with violence and sexual offences making up 23.3% of the total (7 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and vehicle crime (16.7%). This mix suggests a community where public order issues and vehicle-related incidents are more prevalent than in other areas, potentially influenced by local factors such as residential density and traffic patterns. Seasonal context also plays a role: August, as a peak holiday month, may partly explain the rise in criminal damage and arson (3 incidents), though this remains a small proportion of total crimes. The relatively low levels of burglary (2 incidents) and theft from the person (0 incidents) contrast with the UK average, reflecting the area’s quieter residential environment and limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres. The absence of significant theft from the person aligns with the character of Cottenham as a community with fewer tourist hotspots or high-footfall areas where such crimes typically occur. This crime profile, while showing some seasonal fluctuations, underscores Cottenham’s overall safety and the effectiveness of local measures in maintaining low crime rates compared to national trends.

August 2024 saw notable shifts in Cottenham’s crime mix, with several categories showing significant changes compared to the previous month. Criminal damage and arson increased by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents), a sharp rise that may be linked to seasonal factors such as the summer holidays and the temporary occupancy of properties by visitors. Vehicle crime also rose by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents), potentially reflecting increased traffic in the area or the presence of unsecured vehicles during holiday periods. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 46.2% (from 13 to 7 incidents), suggesting a reduction in incidents that may be attributable to local policing efforts or the timing of the month. These changes highlight a dynamic crime picture where specific categories are more sensitive to seasonal or temporal factors. For instance, the 56% increase in vehicle crime compared to the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) indicates a local vulnerability that could be addressed through targeted measures such as improved vehicle security awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, the 150% above UK average for 'other crime' (0.2 per 1,000) raises questions about the nature of these incidents, though the lack of detailed breakdowns prevents definitive conclusions. Residents might find the 23.3% share of violence and sexual offences particularly noteworthy, as it is 63% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), suggesting that local factors—such as community cohesion or effective crime prevention strategies—may be contributing to this lower rate.

Cottenham’s crime rate in August 2024 rose by 43.0% compared to the previous month’s rate of 3.1 per 1,000, marking a notable shift in the local crime profile. This increase, while significant, still leaves the area with a crime rate that is 46.3% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day in August, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 6,881 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 229 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the previous month, the rise in crime appears to be concentrated in specific categories, particularly vehicle crime and criminal damage, which may be influenced by the seasonal nature of August as a peak holiday month. This context is important for residents, as it suggests that while the overall crime rate remains far below national averages, certain types of crime are more susceptible to fluctuations tied to local conditions. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the effectiveness of community-based policing and local initiatives in maintaining safety, even as temporary spikes in certain crime types occur. These figures, when viewed alongside the UK averages, further reinforce the notion that Cottenham operates as a distinct microcosm of crime patterns, where localized factors play a critical role in shaping the monthly statistics.