South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

May 2024 saw South Cambridgeshire's crime rate remain lower than the UK average, with 4.7 crimes per 1,000 residents — 44% below the national figure. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.8%) and criminal damage (9.1%). These figures align with the area's character as a largely rural district with a mix of market towns and commuter suburbs, where property crimes are typically lower due to lower population density and higher community engagement. Seasonal factors, including longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising during May bank holidays, likely contributed to the rise in violence and sexual offences, though the overall rate remains well below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also saw significant reductions compared to UK averages, suggesting effective local policing or community initiatives in these areas. However, the persistent presence of violence-related crimes highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk locations, such as town centres and public transport hubs, where alcohol-fuelled incidents are more common during warmer months. The area's low property crime rate, particularly for shoplifting and vehicle crime, may reflect strong retail security measures and lower foot traffic in non-urban areas. Despite these positive trends, the sharp increase in theft from the person and drugs-related crimes in May deserves closer attention, as these categories rose sharply compared to previous months.

May 2024 revealed troubling spikes in specific crime categories, with theft from the person surging by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents) — a jump that residents should be particularly aware of. This increase, coupled with a 133.3% rise in drugs-related crimes (from 6 to 14), suggests potential shifts in criminal activity patterns during the month. While shoplifting decreased by 24.1% (from 54 to 41), this reduction may be attributed to heightened retail security measures or seasonal changes in consumer behaviour. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, with rates 47% below the UK average (1.5 per 1,000 vs 2.8 per 1,000). However, burglary in South Cambridgeshire was 29% above the UK average (0.4 per 1,000 vs 0.3 per 1,000), indicating a localized vulnerability that may require targeted crime prevention strategies. The sharp increase in theft from the person — now 5 incidents — is a concrete data point for residents to note, as this type of crime often occurs in crowded public spaces and during late-night hours. While anti-social behaviour and criminal damage remained well below UK averages, the combination of rising violence and drug-related crimes in May suggests a need for continued vigilance in community policing efforts.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in May 2024 (4.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a 2.6% increase from the previous month's 4.5 per 1,000, reflecting a slight uptick in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately 26 crimes reported per day — a figure that, while low compared to major urban centres, underscores the importance of maintaining local crime prevention measures. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for every 215 residents, a ratio that highlights the area's generally safe environment but also emphasizes the need for continued community engagement to address emerging trends. When compared to the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, South Cambridgeshire's crime rate remains significantly lower, with the most pronounced disparities seen in categories like anti-social behaviour (45% below UK average) and public order offences (52% below UK average). These figures suggest that the area's rural character and lower population density may contribute to its comparatively low crime rates. However, the slight monthly increase in overall crime, particularly in theft from the person and drugs-related incidents, indicates that local conditions — such as increased socialising during May bank holidays — could be influencing crime patterns. Residents should remain vigilant, especially in public spaces and during late-night hours, as these are the times when theft from the person incidents are most likely to occur.