Cottenham Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cottenham's crime rate in May 2025 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 37% deficit compared to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure, though modest, reflects the area's historical trend of maintaining lower-than-national crime levels. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 25.7% of all incidents (9 cases), followed closely by criminal damage and arson (20%, 7 cases) and anti-social behaviour (20%, 7 cases). These statistics align with the seasonal context of May, where extended daylight hours and warmer temperatures may contribute to increased social activity, potentially influencing crime patterns. The area's violent crime rate remains 54% below the UK average, a consistent feature of Cottenham's built-up environment within South Cambridgeshire. The relatively low incidence of violent crime may be attributed to the area's compact, community-oriented layout, which often fosters a stronger sense of local cohesion. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—now 67% above the UK average—suggests a need for further analysis into localized factors, such as the presence of vacant properties or increased youth activity during the spring season. The balance between property and violent crime remains skewed toward property-related offences, with shoplifting and criminal damage accounting for 34% of all crimes combined, compared to 25.7% for violent offences. This distribution may be influenced by Cottenham's role as a commuter hub, where retail premises and residential areas coexist, creating opportunities for property crimes. The overall crime rate, while up from April, still positions Cottenham as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK, with its low crime profile likely sustained by a combination of local policing strategies and the community's inherent characteristics.

The most striking shift in May 2025 was the 133.3% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 3 to 7 incidents. This category now exceeds the UK average by 67%, a stark contrast to the 34% above average for shoplifting. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences decreased by 10%, remaining 54% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Other notable changes include a doubling of public order offences (from 0 to 2) and the emergence of 'other crime' as a new category, which rose from 0 to 1. These fluctuations highlight the unpredictable nature of crime patterns, with the rise in property-related offences potentially linked to seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity. Residents might find the 52.4% monthly increase in overall crime rate noteworthy, though it remains well below national levels.

Cottenham's crime rate in May 2025 rose by 52.4% compared to April's 3.3 per 1,000, reaching 5.1 per 1,000. This increase, though significant, remains 37% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the area's consistent safety record. When scaled to the local population of 6,881, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 197 residents. This ratio underscores the rarity of criminal activity in Cottenham relative to its size, though the upward trend from April warrants attention. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even with the increase, residents face a much lower risk than the national average, reinforcing the area's status as a relatively secure built-up district within South Cambridgeshire.