South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire’s crime rate in September 2023 remained lower than the UK average, with 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 8.0 per 1,000. This 42.5% deficit reflects a pattern consistent with the area’s character as a predominantly rural and suburban district, where lower population density and community-focused policing likely contribute to reduced crime opportunities. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.1% of all reported crimes. This category, while still below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000 compared to the national 4.2 per 1,000), may be influenced by seasonal factors such as the transition into autumn, which can see increased social interactions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 14.8% of all incidents, a figure 48% below the UK average. The relative rarity of property crimes, particularly shoplifting, which fell to 0.1 per 1,000 (82% below the UK average), may be linked to the area’s mix of retail centres and residential zones, where local initiatives to deter theft could have a measurable impact. September’s seasonal context—back to school, university freshers, and the gradual shift to darker evenings—may have influenced patterns, with reduced daylight hours affecting outdoor crime rates. However, the overall stability in crime trends suggests that existing community safety measures remain effective, though the slight increase in 'other crime' (up 90.9%) warrants further scrutiny to understand emerging challenges.

September 2023 saw a 9.9% month-on-month decline in South Cambridgeshire’s overall crime rate, from 5.1 to 4.6 per 1,000 residents. This reduction was most pronounced in shoplifting, which fell by 38.7% (31 to 19 incidents), potentially linked to the start of the academic year and reduced foot traffic in retail areas. Conversely, 'other crime' increased by 90.9% (11 to 21 incidents), a rise that may reflect underreported or evolving criminal activity types not yet fully categorised. The area’s violent crime rate (1.6 per 1,000) remained 42% below the UK average, despite a 3.4% month-on-month increase in violence and sexual offences. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 20.9% (148 to 117 incidents), due to targeted local enforcement efforts or seasonal shifts in public activity. Vehicle crime remained 17% below the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), a figure that could be attributed to the area’s lower density of high-traffic parking zones compared to urban centres. The sharp 82% deficit in shoplifting compared to the UK average (0.1 vs 0.6 per 1,000) highlights the effectiveness of local retail security measures. surge in 'other crime' suggests a need for updated monitoring frameworks to address emerging trends.

South Cambridgeshire’s September 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 9.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.1, indicating a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 26 crimes per day, a figure that, while locally significant, remains well below the UK average when scaled to the population. Over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for every 219 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s relatively safe environment compared to national benchmarks. This figure is particularly notable when considering South Cambridgeshire’s population of 172,544, which means the total number of crimes (789) represents just 0.46% of the population. The area’s crime profile, with 42.5% fewer incidents than the UK average, suggests a combination of geographic factors (lower urban density) and proactive policing strategies. However, the 90.9% surge in 'other crime' highlights a potential gap in understanding emerging crime types. For residents, the 38.7% drop in shoplifting offers reassurance that targeted local interventions, such as enhanced retail surveillance or community engagement, may be yielding tangible results. These comparisons provide context for both policymakers and residents, illustrating how South Cambridgeshire’s unique demographic and geographic characteristics shape its crime profile relative to the rest of the UK.