Great Shelford and Stapleford Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

February 2025 crime in Great Shelford and Stapleford recorded 21 incidents, a rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents — 52.2% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This built-up rural area’s crime profile is shaped by its low population density and limited commercial activity, with anti-social behaviour (6 cases) and shoplifting (4 cases) dominating the breakdown. The seasonal context of February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, may have influenced the crime mix, as seen in the 100% increase in shoplifting and violence-related offences. The area’s character as a largely rural district with limited commercial hubs likely contributes to the low overall crime rate, though the rise in possession of weapons — 233% above the UK average — highlights an anomaly that may require further investigation. Anti-social behaviour, while the most common category, remained 7% below the UK average, suggesting effective community engagement or policing strategies. The breakdown of crimes shows that property crimes (9) slightly outnumbered violent crimes (4), a trend consistent with areas where commercial activity is sparse. Seasonal factors, such as the pre-spring lull in February, may have created conditions for retail-related crimes like shoplifting, which saw a 100% increase. The low volume of crimes, combined with the area’s population size, underscores the importance of contextualising statistics within local demographics and geography.

February 2025 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with three categories experiencing 100% increases: possession of weapons (0 to 1 case), violence and sexual offences (2 to 4 cases), and shoplifting (0 to 4 cases). These spikes contrast with a 66.7% decrease in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 3 to 1 case. The rise in shoplifting may be linked to seasonal factors — February, as a pre-spring lull, sees increased outdoor activity in rural areas, potentially creating opportunities for retail-related crimes. Anti-social behaviour, though remaining the most common category (28.6% of total crimes), was 7% below the UK average (1.0 per 1,000). Conversely, other theft was 9% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), a discrepancy that may reflect local economic dynamics. Residents might note that while overall crime is low, the rise in possession of weapons — 233% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000) — warrants attention, even if the absolute number remains minimal. The absence of criminal damage and arson cases, coupled with the spike in shoplifting, highlights a combination of seasonal activity and local crime trends.

The crime rate in Great Shelford and Stapleford for February 2025 rose by 31.1% compared to January, from 2.4 to 3.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects broader seasonal patterns common in built-up rural areas during winter months, when reduced outdoor activity may alter crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the 21 crimes recorded over 28 days equate to approximately one incident per day, a figure that aligns with the area’s limited commercial density and sparse population. Monthly exposure shows that one crime occurred for every 316 residents, a statistic that contextualises safety within the local demographic. With a population of 6,641, the 21 crimes represent a small but measurable proportion of the community. This low volume aligns with the area’s character as a built-up rural district, where limited nightlife and commercial activity may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. The population-scaled perspective is critical: even small numbers can be significant in densely populated built-up areas. The rise in overall crime, however, suggests a shift in local patterns that warrants closer examination of seasonal or environmental factors.