South Cambridgeshire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile in South Cambridgeshire for January 2026, accounting for 35.6% of all reported crimes. This category, at 1.6 per 1,000 residents, is 36% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, highlighting the area's relatively lower exposure to violent crime. The overall crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents places the district 35.3% below the national average of 6.8, a disparity that may reflect South Cambridgeshire's mix of rural and suburban characteristics, where community cohesion and lower population density could contribute to reduced crime rates. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most common category (16.8% share), at 0.7 per 1,000, 25% below the UK average. This suggests that while minor disturbances are reported, they remain less frequent than in other parts of the country. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday period, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely contributes to the lower incidence of shoplifting and other outdoor crimes. However, the persistent presence of violent crime indicates that local factors, such as socioeconomic dynamics or access to support services, may require further analysis. The data also shows that property crimes, including vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000), remain below UK averages, though vehicle crime is 8% above the national figure. This anomaly may be linked to the area's infrastructure, such as commuter routes or parking patterns, which could increase opportunities for vehicle-related offences. Overall, the crime picture in South Cambridgeshire for January 2026 illustrates a balance between low overall rates and specific challenges in violent crime and vehicle theft, warranting targeted strategies to address these issues while maintaining the district's generally safe environment.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 175% (from 4 to 11 incidents) and robbery more than doubling (from 4 to 10). These jumps, though statistically significant, remain below UK averages for weapon-related offences (4.4 vs 0.1 per 1,000) and robbery (1.3 vs 0.1 per 1,000). Conversely, shoplifting fell by 42.9% (from 35 to 20 incidents), possibly linked to post-holiday reduced retail footfall. Vehicle crime also surged by 71.4% (from 35 to 60), a trend that may reflect increased vehicle movement during colder months or specific local factors. Anti-social behaviour remained 25% below the UK average (0.7 vs 0.9 per 1,000), suggesting effective community policing efforts in this area. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the rapid rise in weapon possession, which could indicate evolving criminal activity patterns requiring targeted intervention.

South Cambridgeshire's crime rate in January 2026 remained stable at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, a 1.9% increase from the previous month's 4.3. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 24 crimes per day, a figure that, while low compared to national averages, highlights the need for vigilance in specific areas. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 229 residents underscores the relatively low risk residents face, though this does not eliminate the importance of addressing rising trends in certain categories. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the sharp increases in vehicle crime and weapon possession, which may reflect seasonal or situational factors not yet fully understood. These localized changes, though small in the broader context, could signal emerging patterns that require further monitoring.