Cottenham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cottenham's January 2024 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents places the area 52.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, a consistent indicator of relative safety. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.7% of all reported incidents. This was followed by criminal damage and arson (20.8%) and anti-social behaviour (12.5%). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the lower volume of outdoor crimes typically associated with higher footfall. Despite the overall low rate, the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson cases (up 400% from December) raises questions about potential local factors, such as the impact of colder weather on property-related crimes. Meanwhile, the area's violent crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000, 42% below the UK average, suggests that community dynamics or local policing efforts may be playing a role in deterring such incidents. The relatively low incidence of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000) further reinforces the area's position as a safer environment compared to national benchmarks. These patterns align with the characteristics of a small, built-up area within South Cambridgeshire, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime.

January 2024 saw a 400% surge in criminal damage and arson cases, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a stark contrast to the previous month's figures. This increase, though significant, was offset by notable declines in burglary (-66.7%) and other theft (-50%), suggesting a shift in criminal focus. Violent crime, while remaining the most prevalent category (41.7% of total incidents), was 42% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 25% decrease, though it remained 60% below the national average. The sharp rise in drug-related offences—doubling from 0 to 1 case—highlights an emerging trend warranting closer attention. These fluctuations, particularly the spike in arson, may reflect seasonal factors such as colder weather increasing the appeal of property damage as a crime type.

Cottenham's January 2024 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents reflects a 14.4% increase compared to December 2023's 3.1 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, contrasts with the broader trend of a 52.7% deficit relative to the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for continued vigilance. Monthly exposure calculations show that, over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 287 residents. This rate, when scaled to the local population of 6,881, highlights the relatively sparse nature of criminal activity compared to national benchmarks. The population context further reveals that Cottenham's crime profile remains significantly safer than the UK average, with violent crime rates 42% below the national level. These statistics suggest that while local conditions may contribute to minor fluctuations, the area's overall safety remains a defining feature.