South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire’s October 2023 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents stands 37.5% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the national picture where the overall rate is 8.0 per 1,000. This discrepancy underscores the area’s unique crime profile, shaped by its largely rural character and the presence of commuter towns and academic institutions. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 32.4% of all reported incidents, a figure that is 41% below the UK average. This lower rate may be influenced by the area’s relatively stable communities and the absence of high-density urban centres that often correlate with higher violent crime. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 14.4% of total crimes, with a 45% gap from the UK average. This could reflect the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the area’s lower population density, which may reduce opportunities for such incidents. Seasonal factors also played a role in shaping the crime profile, as the transition to darker evenings in October may have contributed to a slight increase in reported incidents. Halloween activities, for instance, could have temporarily elevated concerns around public order, though these were offset by a notable decline in theft from the person. The interplay between local demographics, geography, and seasonal rhythms continues to shape crime patterns in South Cambridgeshire, creating a profile that diverges from the UK average in both magnitude and composition.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with burglary increasing by 102.8% compared to the previous month, rising from 36 to 73 incidents. This sharp rise, while significant, remains 18% above the UK average for burglary, a category that typically reflects local factors such as housing density or property security measures. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 66.7%, falling from 3 to 1 incident—a decrease that may align with seasonal factors like reduced foot traffic during darker evenings. Vehicle crime also rose by 30.7%, reaching 98 incidents, which is 15% above the UK average. This could be linked to increased car usage during the autumn months or specific local vulnerabilities in parking areas. Meanwhile, public order offences fell by 23.0%, a decline that may reflect the impact of Halloween events or community initiatives aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime in the area, with certain categories showing marked divergence from national trends.

South Cambridgeshire’s October 2023 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 9.2% increase from the previous month’s 4.6 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 28 crimes per day in October, a figure that, while localised, provides context for residents assessing their immediate environment. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 200 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s relatively low overall crime profile compared to the UK average. This statistic, when scaled to the local population of 172,544, illustrates that the majority of residents experience minimal direct interaction with crime. The population context further highlights that even with the month-on-month rise, the area remains significantly safer than the national average, with 37.5% fewer crimes per 1,000 residents. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like violence and sexual offences, which are 41% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community cohesion or policing strategies—may contribute to this divergence from national trends.