Great Shelford and Stapleford Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 marked a stark contrast in crime trends for Great Shelford and Stapleford, with several categories showing significant spikes that demand attention. The overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents placed the area 29.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a testament to its generally low crime profile. However, this safety margin was eroded by sharp increases in property-related offences, particularly criminal damage and arson (8 incidents, 24.2% of total crimes) and burglary (8 incidents, 24.2% of total crimes). These figures, which exceed UK averages by 126% and 287% respectively, suggest a seasonal vulnerability tied to December’s empty homes and festive disruptions. Violent crimes, at 6 incidents (18.2% of total), remained below the UK average by 65%, a pattern consistent with the area’s character as a low-density, community-focused built-up area. The seasonal context—dark evenings, holiday absences, and Christmas shopping—likely contributed to the rise in property crimes, as unoccupied homes and increased foot traffic may have created opportunities for offenders. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences, while lower than the UK average, accounted for 12.1% and 9.1% of total crimes, respectively, indicating ongoing challenges in managing community conduct during the festive period. The relatively low levels of violent crime and theft from the person (0.2 per 1,000) further reinforce the area’s safety, though the surge in property crimes serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance during peak seasonal periods.

December 2024 saw alarming spikes in specific crime types, with criminal damage and arson surging by 166.7% compared to November, rising from 3 to 8 incidents. Burglary also doubled, jumping from 0 to 8, while bicycle theft increased from 0 to 1—a 100% rise. These increases starkly contrast with declines in shoplifting, which fell by 50%, and violence and sexual offences, which dropped by 33.3%. The surge in property crimes, particularly burglary and criminal damage, places Great Shelford and Stapleford 287% and 126% above the UK average for these categories, respectively. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remain 65% below the UK average, a trend that may reflect the area’s lower population density and community-oriented environment. Residents should be particularly vigilant around unoccupied homes during the holiday season, as empty properties may be targeted. The bicycle theft increase, though small in absolute terms, highlights the need for heightened awareness in areas with cycling infrastructure.

The crime rate for Great Shelford and Stapleford rose sharply in December 2024, climbing 57.3% from the previous month’s 3.2 per 1,000 to 5.0 per 1,000. This increase, though still well below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, raises concerns for residents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day in December, a figure that, while low, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents during the month. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 201 residents, a rate that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban areas. The population of 6,641 means that the impact of each incident is more visible, particularly in a built-up area where community networks are tight. This increase may partly explain the surge in property-related crimes, though the exact drivers remain unclear without further data on local patterns. The contrast with the UK average highlights the area’s unique position as a safer, more rural-adjacent community, even as December’s seasonal factors appear to have amplified certain crime types.