Cottenham Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cottenham's crime profile in September 2025 reflects a combination of seasonal rhythms and localized factors. The overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents places the area 31.1% below the UK average of 7.4, a significant disparity that underscores the effectiveness of local policing or community initiatives. The most prominent crime type was violence and sexual offences (17 incidents, 48.6% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (5 incidents, 14.3%) and public order offences (4 incidents, 11.4%). This distribution suggests that interpersonal conflicts and disorderly conduct remain key concerns, though the rate of violence is 3% below the UK average. Seasonal context plays a critical role: as September marks the return to school and university freshers' week, increased foot traffic and social activity may contribute to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour. However, the sharp rise in public order offences (100% increase from August) could also reflect specific events or enforcement patterns. Meanwhile, the rate of criminal damage and arson fell by 60% (from 5 to 2), a drop that may be linked to the waning summer season and reduced outdoor activity. These trends highlight the need to consider both geographic and temporal factors when analyzing crime patterns in Cottenham, a built-up area within South Cambridgeshire that likely experiences unique pressures compared to larger urban centres.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in burglary, which surged by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents). This spike, though still below the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), raises questions about localized factors such as seasonal property vulnerabilities. Public order offences also doubled (from 2 to 4), a 100% increase, potentially linked to the transition into autumn and increased evening activity. Meanwhile, other theft fell by 75% (from 4 to 1), a drop that may reflect heightened community vigilance or targeted interventions. Violent crimes, though remaining the most common category (17 incidents), are 3% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour incidents dropped by 58.3% (from 12 to 5), a reduction that could be attributed to the start of the academic year and associated community engagement. These shifts illustrate the dynamic nature of crime patterns, with some categories trending sharply upwards while others see significant declines.

Cottenham's overall crime rate in September 2025 (5.1 per 1,000 residents) marks a 12.4% decline from August's 5.8 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the local monthly exposure figure: over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 197 residents. While this is a monthly aggregate, it provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day, a figure that reflects the low overall rate compared to national averages. The population-scaled perspective is particularly relevant for Cottenham, where the built-up area's density may contribute to concentrated incidents. However, the decrease in overall crime rate contrasts with the sharp rise in specific categories like burglary, suggesting localized factors may be influencing certain crime types. This interplay between overall trends and category-specific movements highlights the need for nuanced analysis rather than broad generalizations.