Cottenham Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Cottenham’s crime profile in December 2024, accounting for 42.1% of all reported crimes. At 2.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area’s overall crime rate is 60.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics. The area’s low crime rate is particularly notable for violent crimes, which stand at 1.2 per 1,000 — 53% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour follows at 0.6 per 1,000, 36% below the UK rate, suggesting a community with relatively strong social cohesion. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose slightly above the UK average.6 per 1,000, the increase remains modest. The month’s seasonal context — dark evenings, empty homes during the Christmas holidays, and heightened retail activity — likely contributes to the crime mix. While the festive period typically sees spikes in retail crime, Cottenham’s data shows no such trend, with property crimes remaining low at 0.3 per 1,000. This suggests that local initiatives or environmental factors, such as well-lit public spaces or community engagement, may mitigate risks during high-traffic periods. The area’s built-up nature within South Cambridgeshire, likely featuring a mix of residential and commercial zones, may also play a role in maintaining low crime levels despite seasonal pressures.

December 2024 saw a 100% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 2 to 4 incidents. This surge, though still below the UK average, contrasts with steep declines in other categories: anti-social behaviour dropped 50% (from 8 to 4), burglary fell 33.3% (from 3 to 2), and violence and sexual offences decreased 20% (from 10 to 8). The drop in violence is particularly striking, with the category’s rate of 1.2 per 1,000 — 53% below the UK average — suggesting effective local interventions or seasonal deterrents. Anti-social behaviour’s halving may reflect holiday-related shifts, such as reduced public gatherings or increased community vigilance during the festive period. Meanwhile, the 0.6 per 1,000 rate for criminal damage and arson — 13% above the UK average — hints at targeted issues, possibly linked to seasonal property maintenance or increased vandalism in underused spaces. Residents might find the daily crime count (1 crime per day) particularly useful for context, indicating a generally low-risk environment despite the rise in one category. The balance between violent and property crimes also shifted slightly, with violent crimes accounting for 42.1% of total incidents — a higher share than property crimes (31.6%), though both remain far below national averages.

Cottenham’s crime rate in December 2024 fell 34.4% compared to November’s 4.2 per 1,000, marking a significant downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 1 crime per day over the month — a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime for every 362 residents. This low frequency suggests that even with the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson, the area remains far safer than the UK average. When scaled to population, the 2.8 per 1,000 rate means that a resident has a 1-in-362 chance of being directly affected by a crime in any given month. This is a marked contrast to the UK’s 1-in-142 average, highlighting Cottenham’s effectiveness in maintaining public safety. The decline from November may be attributed to seasonal factors: with Christmas shopping completed and holiday-related absences peaking, there may be fewer opportunities for opportunistic crimes. The drop in anti-social behaviour, in particular, could reflect reduced public drinking or more controlled community events during the festive period. While the rise in criminal damage and arson is notable, its impact is diluted by the overall low base rate, underscoring that the area’s crime picture remains predominantly stable and safe.