South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate for May 2024 remained lower than the UK average, standing at 4.7 crimes per 1,000 residents—a 44% deficit compared to the national figure of 8.4. The area's crime profile continues to be dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 32.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.8%) and criminal damage and arson (9.1%). These patterns align with the district's character as a largely rural and suburban region with a mix of historic villages and commuter-oriented settlements. The seasonal context of May, with its extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising, likely contributes to the persistent focus on violence and public order offences. While property crimes remain a significant component of the total (299 cases, or 37.2% of all crimes), the overall crime rate's continued suppression relative to the UK average underscores the effectiveness of local policing and community engagement strategies. However, the breakdown reveals an uneven distribution of risk, with certain categories—particularly violent crime—requiring sustained attention. The area's low crime rate is consistent with its demographic profile, where economic stability and strong community ties may act as mitigating factors. Nevertheless, the seasonal context suggests that vigilance in public spaces, particularly during the late evening hours, remains essential for residents.

May 2024 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, with theft from the person surging by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents) and drug-related offences rising 133.3% (from 6 to 14). These jumps contrast with declines in shoplifting (-24.1%) and other theft (-12.7%), which may reflect seasonal shifts in criminal activity or enhanced retail security measures. The violent crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents—47% below the UK average—remains a critical concern, particularly given the 263 reported incidents. Burglary rates in South Cambridgeshire (0.4 per 1,000) are 29% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may stem from the area's mix of rural properties and commuter housing, which could present unique vulnerabilities. Residents should be particularly vigilant regarding drug-related activity, which has more than doubled since April, and theft from the person, which has spiked to unprecedented levels. The area's overall crime rate, while significantly lower than the UK average, shows a marked shift in the nature of crime, with property crimes declining and personal safety threats rising. This shift may be linked to the increased presence of transient populations during the spring season, a factor that local authorities may need to address through targeted interventions.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in May 2024 (4.7 per 1,000) represented a 2.6% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.5, reflecting a small but measurable uptick in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 26 crimes per day, a figure that, while low by UK standards, highlights the need for consistent community vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 215 residents—a monthly exposure rate that places the area firmly in the lower quartile of UK local authorities. This statistic, when contextualised against South Cambridgeshire's population of 172,544, underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention initiatives. However, the 2.6% increase from April suggests that certain factors—such as the extended daylight hours of May or the influx of visitors during bank holidays—may be temporarily elevating crime rates. The area's population-scaled perspective further illustrates that, despite the small absolute increase, the overall risk to residents remains significantly lower than the UK average. This contrast is particularly evident in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, which are both well below national benchmarks. Yet, the recent rise in theft from the person and drug-related offences indicates that specific pockets of the district may require more targeted attention.