South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2024, South Cambridgeshire maintained a crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 43.7% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure highlights a persistent trend of lower-than-national crime levels in the area, which has historically been a relatively safe region. The crime profile remains dominated by violent and sexual offences, accounting for 35.3% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.1%) and burglary (9.1%). This balance between property and violent crime suggests a combination of local factors, such as the area’s mix of rural and suburban environments, which may contribute to both types of crime. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely influences patterns, with fewer opportunities for crimes like shoplifting or public order offences. However, the prominence of violent crime, even at rates significantly below the UK average, may reflect local characteristics such as population density in certain areas or the presence of educational institutions that attract transient populations. The relatively low burglary rate compared to the UK average could indicate effective community policing or the absence of high-risk urban centres. These patterns, while consistent with South Cambridgeshire’s historical profile, warrant continued monitoring to ensure they remain stable as the year progresses.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with robbery and vehicle crime both experiencing sharp increases. Robbery rose by 600% (from 1 to 7 incidents), while vehicle crime surged by 104.5% (from 22 to 45). These spikes, though still low in absolute terms, may signal emerging risks, particularly in areas with higher vehicle density or increased traffic during colder months. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 40% (from 5 to 3), possibly reflecting reduced outdoor activity or heightened awareness among residents. The balance between property and violent crime remained skewed, with violent offences (245 incidents) slightly outpacing property crimes (269). This mix is noteworthy, as violent crime in South Cambridgeshire is 44% below the UK average (2.5 per 1,000 vs. the national 2.5 per 1,000), suggesting local factors may mitigate aggression despite the higher proportion of violent incidents. Burglary, meanwhile, rose to 0.4 per 1,000—33% above the UK average of 0.3—highlighting a specific vulnerability in residential areas. These figures could inform targeted interventions, such as enhanced vehicle security campaigns or community engagement in high-risk zones.

South Cambridgeshire’s crime rate in February 2024 (4.0 per 1,000) represented an 8.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.7, indicating a slight upward trend. While this rise is modest, it contrasts with the area’s overall position as one of the UK’s safest regions. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 24 crimes per day in February, a figure that, while low, underscores the ongoing need for vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 249 residents—a monthly exposure rate that remains significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised against the local population of 172,544, illustrates the relatively low likelihood of any individual encountering crime. However, the increase from January raises questions about whether temporary factors—such as the end of the holiday season or shifting weather patterns—may have influenced crime dynamics. The comparison to the UK average also highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in maintaining safety, even as the area navigates the challenges of a growing population and changing demographics.