South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate South Cambridgeshire's crime profile in January 2024, accounting for 33.4% of all reported crimes. This category, at 1.2 per 1,000 residents, remains 54% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The overall crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 is 50% lower than the national average of 7.4, a disparity that underscores the area's generally low crime profile. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most common category, contributing 18.7% of total crimes, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000—29% below the UK average. The seasonal context of January, characterised by shorter days and post-holiday periods, likely influences crime patterns, with reduced retail activity potentially limiting opportunities for theft and shoplifting. However, the persistence of violence and sexual offences suggests that this category remains a key driver of crime in the area, possibly linked to factors such as community dynamics or local demographics. The relatively low rates of property crimes, including burglary (0.3 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000), further highlight the area's safety compared to urban counterparts. These figures may reflect the rural nature of much of South Cambridgeshire, where lower population density and stronger community ties could contribute to reduced crime rates. The data also illustrates a balanced distribution of crime types, with no single category overwhelming the statistics, though the prominence of violence-related offences remains a focal point for local authorities.

January 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with possession of weapons increasing by 200% and bicycle theft rising by 83.3% compared to December. These spikes may partly reflect seasonal factors, such as colder weather driving indoor activity or changes in law enforcement focus. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 52.2%, a decline consistent with reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, which make up 33.4% of total crimes, remain 54% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This gap highlights the area's relative safety in violent crime categories.2 per 1,000 still warrants attention. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, is 29% below the UK average, suggesting that community-focused initiatives may be contributing to this trend. Residents might find the 83.3% increase in bicycle theft particularly relevant, as it indicates a specific vulnerability in personal property security during the winter months.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 3.1% compared to December 2023, reflecting a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the overall 50% reduction in crime compared to the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 21 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a localised timeframe. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 270 residents, a statistic that underscores the relative safety of the area despite the month-on-month rise. This 1-in-270 ratio highlights the low frequency of crime per individual, even as the area experiences minor fluctuations in specific categories. The population context further illustrates that South Cambridgeshire's crime profile remains markedly lower than the national average, with its rural character likely contributing to this disparity. The comparison with the UK average serves as a reminder that while local trends may shift, the broader regional context continues to position the area as a low-crime environment.