South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 172,544, the 785 reported crimes in July 2023 translate to 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents—44.6% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This stark contrast reflects South Cambridgeshire’s character as a largely rural and suburban district with limited high-density urban areas. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences (241 cases, 30.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (127 cases, 16.2%) and other theft (82 cases, 10.5%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of a region with significant tourism and outdoor events in summer. The high proportion of violent crimes may partly explain the 50% gap between local rates and the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000 nationally). Anti-social behaviour, often linked to alcohol consumption in leisure areas, also shows a 51% deficit compared to the UK, suggesting effective community policing or lower population density reducing opportunities for such incidents. The low rate of shoplifting (83% below the UK average) is consistent with a district where retail centres are not concentrated in single high-traffic zones, dispersing potential targets across multiple locations. July’s peak tourism season likely amplified violent crime through increased transient populations, while the absence of major urban hubs may have limited property crime opportunities.

July saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Burglary increased by 100% compared to June, rising from 26 to 52 cases—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, where local rates remained 9% below. This surge could reflect heightened residential activity during school holidays or increased property vulnerability in rural areas with limited surveillance. Vehicle crime also rose by 33.3%, climbing from 45 to 60 cases. This aligns with the seasonal context of increased car usage during festivals and outdoor events. Conversely, shoplifting dropped 47.1% (34 to 18 cases), potentially due to improved retail security or reduced foot traffic in non-tourist areas during the month. Possession of weapons fell 62.5% (8 to 3 cases), a decline that may indicate successful community engagement efforts or lower prevalence of such crimes in a region with minimal industrial or high-risk zones. South Cambridgeshire’s rate for theft from the person (0.0 per 1,000) is 100% below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, highlighting the area’s effectiveness in preventing petty theft—likely aided by low population density and fewer crowded public spaces. The crime mix also shows a shift: violent crimes accounted for 30.7% of the total, while property crimes (315 cases) made up 39.9%, indicating a balance between interpersonal and material crime types.

The crime rate in July 2023 remained stable at 4.6 per 1,000 compared to the previous month, reflecting consistent policing and community engagement efforts. On a daily basis, South Cambridgeshire experienced approximately 25 crimes per day—equivalent to one crime occurring roughly every 220 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate (1-in-220) is lower than the UK average, which would be higher given the local deficit in overall crime rates. The population-scaled perspective underscores that even with the 100% deficit in certain categories (e.g. robbery and possession of weapons), the area’s low density and suburban character inherently limit opportunities for some crimes. For residents, this means that while violent crimes remain a concern (accounting for nearly a third of all incidents), the likelihood of encountering property crime or theft is significantly reduced compared to more densely populated regions. The stability in the monthly rate also suggests that seasonal factors—such as festivals and tourism—have not disrupted local crime patterns beyond expected fluctuations, with targeted interventions likely mitigating potential spikes.