South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

South Cambridgeshire's overall crime rate for September 2024 stood at 4.4 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 42.9% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure reflects a sustained trend of lower-than-average crime levels in the area, which has long been characterised by its rural landscapes and relatively low population density. The most common crimes recorded this month were violence and sexual offences (33.9% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (21.5%). These patterns align with the area's mix of suburban communities and historic market towns, where interpersonal disputes and public disorder are more likely to occur than in densely populated urban centres. Seasonal factors appear to have played a role in shaping the crime profile: with September marking the return to school and university term time, increased foot traffic in local areas may have contributed to a rise in public order offences, though this remains a small proportion of total crimes. The area's low burglary rate (4.5% of total crimes) is consistent with its predominantly residential and low-density housing stock, which may reduce opportunities for targeted theft compared to more urban environments. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the breakdown of specific offences provides a nuanced picture of local dynamics, with violent crime remaining the most persistent concern.

September 2024 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with public order offences increasing by 46.9% month-on-month (from 32 to 47 incidents). This rise may be linked to the transition from summer evenings to shorter daylight hours, which can alter patterns of public behaviour in local town centres and parks. Meanwhile, vehicle crime rose by 14.3% (from 49 to 56), potentially reflecting increased car usage during the school term or seasonal changes in parking habits. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 27.7% (from 65 to 47), a drop that may be partly explained by the timing of the month relative to major retail periods. The area's performance against UK averages was striking: violence and sexual offences were 43% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour was 23% below the UK average. These figures suggest that South Cambridgeshire's community-focused policing strategies and strong local engagement initiatives may be contributing to lower levels of disruptive crime. A particularly significant decline was recorded in drug-related offences, which fell by 57.1% (from 14 to 6 incidents), though the absolute numbers remain very low compared to the UK average. Residents may find the 43% below-average rate for other theft (0.3 per 1,000) particularly relevant, as it indicates a lower risk of personal property crimes than in many other parts of the country.

The September 2024 crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 represents a 6.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.7, marking the second consecutive month of decline. This downward trend places South Cambridgeshire's current rate 42.9% below the UK average, a gap that has remained relatively stable over recent months. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 25 crimes per day in September, a figure that is consistent with the area's population size and geographic spread. When scaled to the local population of 172,544, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 230 residents, a rate that is significantly lower than many urban areas. This statistic highlights the relative safety of the district compared to more densely populated regions, where higher population densities can lead to greater crime concentrations. The comparison also reveals that South Cambridgeshire's performance against the UK average is particularly strong in certain categories: drugs-related crimes were 100% below the national average, while possession of weapons and robbery were also recorded at 100% below the UK levels. These figures suggest that the area's low population density and strong community policing efforts may be contributing to its consistently lower crime rates compared to the national average. The monthly exposure metric provides a tangible way for residents to contextualise the risk, offering a clear picture of how often crime occurs relative to the local population.