Hardwick (South Cambridgeshire) Crime Rate

Hardwick (South Cambridgeshire) is an exceptionally safe urban settlement, currently holding a safety score of 91/100. Its overall crime rate is 36.9 per 1,000 residents, which sits well below the UK national average of 91.7. Despite this high safety rating, the area has experienced a significant upward trend, with a 55.6% increase in reported crimes year-over-year. This change suggests a shift in the local safety landscape that residents should be aware of. While Hardwick remains a low-crime area in the national context, the specific breakdown of offences—particularly property and vehicle crime—provides important context for local security.

Hardwick (South Cambridgeshire) sees violence and sexual offences as the most common report, comprising 28.6% of the total. Vehicle crime is also a significant concern, representing 21.4% of all incidents, which is notably higher than many similar areas. Anti-social behaviour ranks third at 14.3%. Overall property crime—including vehicle crime, burglary, and various thefts—is recorded at 19.4 per 1,000 people. While this remains below the UK average of 32.3, the high proportion of vehicle-related offences indicates that car security should be a priority for local residents. Burglary rates are low at 4.8%, but the combined impact of property-related offences suggests a need for vigilant home and vehicle protection.

Hardwick has experienced a significant increase in reported crime, with total incidents rising by 55.6% year-over-year. Monthly data for late 2024 and 2025 shows a relatively stable period with rates between 0.9 and 4.4 per 1,000. However, November 2025 saw a dramatic spike to 12.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. This sharp increase at the end of the reporting period is largely responsible for the overall upward trend. Such a spike could be attributed to a specific local issue or a series of related incidents. Despite this rise, Hardwick's overall rate of 36.9 remains well below the national average, though the recent trend suggests a need for increased local vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Hardwick (South Cambridgeshire)

The highest crime category in Hardwick is violence and sexual offences, followed closely by vehicle crime. To stay safe, residents should remain aware of their surroundings when walking in the area, particularly in less populated spots. Carrying a personal safety alarm and sticking to well-lit routes during evening hours is recommended.

Given the high proportion of vehicle crime (21.4%), specific car security measures are vital. Always ensure your vehicle is locked and that no valuables are left on display, as even small items can attract opportunistic thieves. If possible, park in a well-lit driveway or a garage. Using physical deterrents like steering wheel locks, alongside an AI-powered security system that monitors your driveway, can significantly reduce the risk of your vehicle being targeted. Ensure that keyless entry fobs are stored in Faraday pouches to prevent signal relay thefts.

Crime in Hardwick exhibits a very specific temporal pattern, heavily influenced by the high rate of vehicle crime. The night period (12am-6am) is particularly notable, as vehicle crime accounts for a staggering 69% of all reports during these hours. This suggests that vehicles are being targeted while residents are asleep. Evening hours (6pm-12am) also see significant vehicle-related activity at 42%. During the day, crime types are more varied; the afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees the highest proportion of burglary at 24%. Theft-related offences are most common in the morning and afternoon, likely tied to commercial activity or residents being away from home. This data clearly indicates that for Hardwick, property and vehicle security should be focused on the overnight hours.

Hardwick's crime rate of 36.9 per 1,000 places it in the middle of its nearby peers. It is significantly safer than Highfields Caldecote, which has a much higher rate of 65.4. However, it experiences more criminal activity than Comberton (24.9) and the neighbouring villages of Toft and Dry Drayton, both of which reported no crimes (0.0). For those looking at the region, Hardwick offers a safe suburban environment, though it is currently seeing more growth in reported incidents than some of its immediate neighbours.

Hardwick has a property crime rate of 19.4 per 1,000 residents, with vehicle crime being a particularly prominent component at 21.4% of all offences. This highlights a specific vulnerability for homeowners with vehicles parked on driveways or streets. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are often reactive—they record the theft as it happens but do little to stop it. For Hardwick residents, scOS provides a more effective, proactive solution. The AI-powered system monitors property boundaries and can verify vehicles using DVLA data, instantly spotting suspicious activity or fake plates. By detecting a threat before a vehicle is touched or a home is entered, scOS can trigger autonomous responses like lights and sirens to drive criminals away. This preventative approach is essential for addressing Hardwick's vehicle crime and maintaining its reputation as a high-safety area.