South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire recorded a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents in August 2024, 42.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure marks one of the lowest monthly rates in recent records for the area, reflecting a consistent trend of below-average crime levels. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 24.3%. These rates are significantly lower than UK averages: violence and sexual offences were 48% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour was 24% below. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping this month’s profile. August, as a peak holiday month, may have influenced patterns such as increased burglary risk from empty homes, though burglary rates remained low at 0.2 per 1,000. The area’s character—likely a mix of rural and suburban landscapes with limited high-density urban zones—may contribute to its consistently lower crime rates compared to major cities. Property crimes (304) and violent crimes (240) each accounted for roughly a third of total incidents, but their rates per 1,000 residents were still below UK averages. This suggests a broader trend of community safety measures and geographic factors that appear to mitigate crime risks, even during periods of seasonal activity shifts.

August 2024 saw a sharp 71.1% increase in shoplifting incidents, rising from 38 to 65. This surge, though still below the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000 (South Cambridgeshire’s rate was 0.4 per 1,000), raises questions about retail area dynamics during the summer months. Simultaneously, bicycle theft increased by 37.5%, from 8 to 11 incidents, a rate that remains 11% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This could reflect increased cycling activity in warmer weather or vulnerabilities in secure storage options for residents. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 83.3%, from 6 to 1 incident, a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This decline may be attributed to heightened awareness during peak tourist periods or reduced foot traffic in certain areas. The crime mix also showed notable shifts: violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, but their rate (1.4 per 1,000) was 48% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.1 per 1,000, was 24% below the UK average, suggesting effective local interventions in managing public disorder. These figures highlight the area’s ability to maintain low crime levels despite seasonal fluctuations, though the shoplifting spike warrants closer scrutiny of retail security practices.

South Cambridgeshire’s crime rate in August 2024 remained stable at 4.7 per 1,000 compared to July, reflecting a 0.2% change. This consistency suggests no significant short-term fluctuations in overall crime levels. On a daily basis, 26 crimes were reported each day in August, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 804 incidents. For residents, this equates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 215 people—a rate that is 42.7% below the UK average. When compared to the previous month, the stability in crime rates indicates that local factors such as community policing or seasonal patterns have maintained equilibrium. The population context further underscores South Cambridgeshire’s safety: with 172,544 residents, the 804 crimes reported represent a manageable proportion of the population. This is particularly notable given the area’s potential vulnerabilities during August, such as increased tourism and empty homes. The low rates of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) further highlight the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies, even during periods when such crimes might typically rise. These metrics collectively illustrate a community that, despite its geographic diversity, has managed to keep crime rates well within the UK’s lower quartile.