South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in February 2024 stood at 4.0 per 1,000 residents, 43.7% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure underscores the area's position as one of the safer regions in the country, a status reinforced by the dominance of property-related crimes over violent offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35.3% of all crimes (245 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.1%, 105 incidents) and burglary (9.1%, 63 incidents). The relatively low proportion of violent crime compared to national averages may reflect the area's rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density contribute to reduced interpersonal conflict. Seasonal factors also appear to influence crime patterns, with the winter month witnessing a pre-spring lull in outdoor activity that typically curtails opportunities for crime. However, this general trend was partially offset by specific increases in burglary and vehicle crime, which may be linked to targeted criminal activity or environmental factors such as increased vehicle movement during colder weather. The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.5 per 1,000) is higher than South Cambridgeshire's rate, suggesting that the area's social fabric and policing efforts are effective in mitigating such crimes. This balance between property and violent crime, while maintaining an overall low rate, highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics, where environmental and demographic factors interact to shape the crime picture.

February 2024 saw dramatic fluctuations in crime types, with robbery surging by 600% (from 1 to 7 incidents), vehicle crime rising by 104.5% (22 to 45), and burglary increasing by 46.5% (43 to 63). These spikes, particularly in robbery, mark a stark departure from the area's generally low crime profile. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 40% (5 to 3), and criminal damage and arson declined by 22.1% (68 to 53), suggesting possible seasonal influences or targeted interventions. The property crime-to-violent crime balance shifted slightly, with property crimes (269) narrowly outpacing violent crimes (245), a reversal of the previous month's trend. This shift may reflect the area's character as a largely rural district with limited nightlife, where property-related incidents are more common than violent crime. Burglary in South Cambridgeshire is 33% above the UK average (0.3 vs 0.4 per 1,000), indicating a specific vulnerability in residential security that contrasts with the area's overall safety record.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate rose by 8.6% from 3.7 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents in February 2024, reflecting a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the broader seasonal context of a winter lull in outdoor activity, which typically reduces crime. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 24 crimes per day, a figure that, while locally relevant, does not align with UK-wide daily comparisons due to the absence of such data. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 249 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low crime environment compared to national averages. When contextualised against the local population of 172,544, this statistic illustrates that the majority of residents remain unaffected by crime, even as specific categories like burglary and vehicle crime show increases. The interplay between local demographics and crime patterns suggests that factors such as community engagement and local policing strategies may play a role in maintaining this lower-than-average crime profile.