South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 172,544, South Cambridgeshire recorded 802 crimes in July 2024, translating to a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 44% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest rates in the country. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.9% of all reported crimes (288 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (22.6%) and criminal damage and arson (7.7%). These patterns align with the area’s character as a largely rural district with a mix of suburban and commuter-oriented communities. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and tourism—likely contributes to the prominence of anti-social behaviour and violence, as outdoor events and festivals increase foot traffic in public spaces. The rate of violence and sexual offences in South Cambridgeshire (1.7 per 1,000) is 40% below the UK average (2.9 per 1,000), suggesting a combination of effective local policing, community cohesion, and lower population density. Similarly, anti-social behaviour (1.1 per 1,000) is 24% below the UK average (1.4 per 1,000), a trend consistent with areas where community engagement and environmental design reduce opportunities for such incidents. The low prevalence of shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000, 71% below UK average) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000, 35% below UK average) further underscores the area’s distinct crime profile, potentially influenced by its limited retail density and strong local policing presence. While the overall rate remains stable, the interplay of seasonal factors and local demographics will shape future trends.

July 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with increases in drug-related incidents (+33.3% from 12 to 16) and shoplifting (+26.7% from 30 to 38), likely tied to the summer tourism season and the proliferation of outdoor events. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 50% (8 to 4), and robbery rates dropped by 50% (6 to 3), reflecting possible improvements in community policing or reduced opportunities for such crimes during the summer months. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast to UK averages, with anti-social behaviour (22.6% of total crimes) and violence and sexual offences (35.9%) significantly underperforming relative to the UK’s 40% and 24% shares, respectively. This divergence suggests that South Cambridgeshire’s lower population density and strong local governance may act as a buffer against more severe violent crime. A resident might find the 71% reduction in shoplifting (38 incidents, 0.2 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, as it indicates effective retail security measures or a lower incidence of opportunistic theft in the area. These findings highlight the importance of seasonal and local factors in shaping crime trends, with July’s peak activity periods influencing both increases and decreases in specific categories.

The crime rate in South Cambridgeshire for July 2024 (4.7 per 1,000) remained stable compared to the previous month (4.6 per 1,000), indicating no significant month-on-month change. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 26 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the ongoing presence of routine criminal activity. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 215 residents over the course of the month—a rate that is lower than the UK average. For context, the UK’s average of 8.4 per 1,000 equates to one crime per 120 residents, highlighting South Cambridgeshire’s relative safety. This disparity is amplified by the area’s unique demographic and geographic profile: as a largely rural district with limited urban density, it naturally experiences fewer crimes per capita than more densely populated regions. The stability in the monthly rate suggests that local policing strategies and community-focused initiatives are maintaining the area’s low crime trajectory. However, the slight increase in drug-related crimes and shoplifting—both tied to summer tourism—underscores the need for targeted interventions during peak seasonal periods. Residents should take comfort in the fact that, despite these fluctuations, the overall crime picture remains significantly more favourable than the national average.