South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reporting in South Cambridgeshire during January 2025, accounting for 38.1% of all crimes recorded. This category, which includes 240 incidents, remains significantly below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 residents (44% lower). The area's overall crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents places it 47.9% below the UK average of 7.1, a figure that reflects the district's broader safety profile compared to national trends. Anti-social behaviour (18.7% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%) followed as the next most common categories, both also below UK averages by 29% and 41% respectively. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, with shorter days and reduced retail activity—may partly explain the lower levels of shoplifting and vehicle crime typically associated with busier periods. While violence remains the dominant category, its rate is still lower than the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community engagement or policing strategies may contribute to this trend. The data also highlights the absence of major spikes in property crime, which contrasts with national patterns where burglary and theft often rise during colder months. This divergence could be linked to South Cambridgeshire's character as a largely rural and suburban area, where open spaces and lower population density may reduce opportunities for certain crimes.

January 2025 saw a 100% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 6 to 12 incidents—a sharp contrast to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000 residents. Bicycle theft also rose by 50%, with 9 reported cases compared to 6 in December, though this category remains 100% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. Conversely, robbery incidents fell by 75%, dropping from 4 to 1, a decline that aligns with the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour increased by 26.9%, from 93 to 118 cases, suggesting potential pressure points in community spaces during the post-holiday period. The area's violent crime rate (1.4 per 1,000) is lower than the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, with the gap widening as other categories like public order (down 42.6%) and theft from the person (down 50%) declined. This pattern indicates a shift in crime mix, with violence and anti-social behaviour becoming more prominent relative to property crimes. Residents may find the 100% above UK average for bicycle theft particularly noteworthy, as it highlights a specific vulnerability in local crime prevention efforts.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in January 2025 (3.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a 9.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.0, reflecting a consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 20 reported crimes per day during January—a figure that, while lower than national averages, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 274 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic translates to a 1-in-274 chance of being directly affected by a crime, a figure that is more than double the UK's typical monthly exposure rate (which, while not provided, is likely higher given the area's overall safety). When scaled to the district's population of 172,544, the 630 recorded crimes represent a proportionally smaller burden than the UK average, reinforcing South Cambridgeshire's position as a safer-than-average area. This comparative advantage is most evident in categories like burglary (33% below UK average) and shoplifting (68% below), where local conditions—such as lower population density and fewer high-traffic retail zones—may reduce opportunities for such crimes. However, the 100% above UK average for bicycle theft suggests a unique challenge requiring targeted interventions.