South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire’s December 2023 crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents places it 50% below the UK average, a consistent trend reflective of the area’s relatively low crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34% of all recorded crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.9%) and other theft (11.8%). This distribution aligns with the area’s character as a mix of rural and suburban communities, where violent crime is less concentrated than in major urban centres. The seasonal context of December—marked by dark evenings, Christmas shopping, and holiday-related activity—likely influenced crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences rising in tandem with increased social gatherings. However, the overall rate remains stable, with no major spikes in property crime categories like burglary or vehicle theft, which are both below UK averages. The low levels of shoplifting (80% below the UK average) may be attributed to the area’s lower retail density and stronger community policing efforts. While December’s festive environment may have temporarily increased certain crimes like robbery, the overall trend remains one of relative safety compared to national benchmarks.

December 2023 saw a 100% surge in robbery incidents, rising from 2 to 4 cases—a stark contrast to the 40% drop in bicycle theft, which fell from 10 to 6. This divergence underscores shifting patterns in criminal activity, with violent crimes like robbery potentially linked to increased alcohol consumption during the festive season. Meanwhile, public order offences climbed by 35.1%, from 37 to 50 cases, reflecting the impact of dark evenings and crowded public spaces during the holiday period. Shoplifting remained 80% below the UK average, a trend consistent with South Cambridgeshire’s lower retail crime profile compared to more densely populated areas. The sharp decline in bicycle theft may be attributed to reduced commuting during the Christmas break, while the rise in robbery highlights the need for heightened vigilance in high-traffic areas during peak holiday hours.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in December 2023 stood at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, a 7.2% decline from the previous month’s 3.9 per 1,000. This monthly drop aligns with typical seasonal patterns, where holiday periods often see reduced crime due to fewer people in public spaces and increased home security during the festive season. On a daily basis, 20 crimes were reported across 31 days, translating to a local figure of roughly one crime for every 278 residents over the month. This monthly exposure rate underscores the relatively low crime environment compared to the UK average, which is more than double at 7.2 per 1,000. The population context further highlights that South Cambridgeshire’s crime levels remain well below national benchmarks, with no major spikes in categories like burglary or vehicle crime. While the overall trend shows stability, the 100% increase in robbery suggests localized factors may have influenced this specific category, though are drawn from the data alone.