Longstanton and Northstowe Crime Rate

Longstanton and Northstowe is a rapidly evolving urban settlement with a strong safety profile, evidenced by a safety score of 84/100. The overall crime rate stands at 66.4 per 1,000 people, which remains significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. While the area has seen an 8.4% increase in reported crime over the last year—a trend often associated with expanding populations in new developments like Northstowe—it continues to be a secure environment for its 7,036 residents. This introduction sets the stage for a detailed analysis of local crime data from January 2025 to December 2025, providing insights into the safety of this growing Cambridgeshire community.

Crime Breakdown in Longstanton and Northstowe

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Longstanton and Northstowe, with 169 incidents making up 36.2% of all recorded activity. Anti-social behaviour follows at 20.6% (96 crimes), and criminal damage and arson accounts for 10.5% (49 crimes). These top three categories mirror broader regional patterns, focusing heavily on public order and personal safety.

Property crime in the area—which encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—results in a rate of 18.1 per 1,000 people. Burglary specifically accounts for 4.7% of total crime, while vehicle crime represents 4.3%. While these rates are relatively low, the presence of criminal damage and arson at over 10% suggests that property assets are sometimes targeted for vandalism. For residents in these growing communities, particularly in the newer developments of Northstowe, this data underscores the importance of securing both the home and external property features to deter opportunistic offences.

Crime Trends in Longstanton and Northstowe

The crime trend in Longstanton and Northstowe is currently increasing, with a year-over-year rise of 8.4%. This upward movement is visible in the monthly data for 2025, which shows a steady climb in the crime rate per 1,000 people. Starting at 2.6 in January, the rate reached a significant peak of 8.0 in June, followed by another high of 7.1 in November.

These peaks suggest that the area experiences higher reporting during the summer months and late autumn. The overall increase in crime volume is likely linked to the rapid expansion of the Northstowe development, as a larger population naturally leads to more recorded incidents. While the trend is increasing, the area's baseline remains very safe compared to national figures. However, the 8.4% rise indicates that local safety dynamics are shifting, and residents should remain vigilant as the community continues to grow.

How To Keep Safe in Longstanton and Northstowe

The highest crime category in Longstanton and Northstowe is violence and sexual offences, representing 36.2% of total reports. As the community continues to grow, personal safety and awareness remain paramount.

When moving around the area, particularly between the older parts of Longstanton and the newer Northstowe developments, use well-lit paths and stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions like mobile phones when walking alone at night.

For residents, joining local community groups or digital neighbourhood watch platforms is highly recommended. These groups are excellent for sharing real-time information about suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour. Additionally, ensure that any external property, such as sheds or garages, is well-secured with robust locks, as criminal damage and arson are the third most common crime type. Taking these proactive steps helps maintain the security of this vibrant, expanding neighbourhood.

In Longstanton and Northstowe, crime patterns show distinct variations throughout the day. The afternoon period (12pm - 6pm) is a notable window for burglary and theft, likely when residents are away from home. As evening approaches (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour, reach their highest intensity, accounting for 61% of reports. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a significant spike in vehicle crime, which makes up 30% of incidents during these hours. This suggests that while personal offences may occur during the day, property and vehicle-related crimes are more prevalent when the cover of darkness provides more opportunity for offenders.

Longstanton and Northstowe sits in a varied local landscape regarding crime rates. At 66.4 crimes per 1,000 people, it is safer than the nearby commercial hub of Bar Hill, which has a rate of 73.3. However, it experiences more reported activity than the neighbouring villages of Willingham (51.5) and Oakington (48.7). Interestingly, the nearby settlement of Rampton reported 0.0 crimes, though its much smaller population makes for a different statistical context. For those considering the area, Longstanton and Northstowe offers a middle ground—providing more amenities and a larger community than the smallest villages while maintaining a significantly higher safety score than many larger UK towns.

With a property crime rate of 18.1 per 1,000 people, Longstanton and Northstowe is statistically safe, but the rising trend in overall crime suggests that residents should be mindful of security. In new-build areas like Northstowe, burglars often target multiple properties in one go, looking for standard security weaknesses. Traditional CCTV or doorbell cameras are common, but they are reactive—they show you the person who took your parcel or broke into your car after the fact.

scOS provides a proactive alternative designed for modern living. Its AI-driven system doesn't just record; it monitors all your cameras simultaneously to identify suspicious patterns. For example, it can distinguish between a delivery driver and someone loitering at your property boundary. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights or speakers. This "pre-emptive" protection is particularly valuable in growing communities where routines are still being established. By choosing scOS, you move from having evidence of a crime to preventing the crime from ever occurring.