Longstanton and Northstowe Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Longstanton and Northstowe in December 2024 reveals a distinct balance between violent and non-violent offences, shaped by the area’s character as a built-up residential and commercial hub within South Cambridgeshire. The overall crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents—62% below the UK average—reflects a consistently low level of criminal activity, though the distribution of crime types offers insights into local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the monthly tally, accounting for 36.8% of all reported crimes. This may be linked to the area’s proximity to retail and leisure facilities, which can attract higher foot traffic during festive periods. Public order offences (15.8%) and anti-social behaviour (10.5%) followed, suggesting a mix of social and environmental factors influencing local crime. The seasonal context of December—characterised by extended evenings, holiday shopping, and the closure of some businesses—likely contributed to this pattern. While the rate of violent crime was significantly lower than the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), the 400% spike in possession of weapons (0.3 per 1,000) compared to the national figure (0.1 per 1,000) indicates an anomaly requiring further analysis. This contrast highlights the importance of contextualising crime data within both local and national frameworks. The low levels of property crime, despite the typical December retail activity, may reflect effective local policing or the area’s lower density of high-value targets compared to larger urban centres. Overall, the data illustrates a community with relatively low crime rates, though the spike in weapon-related offences underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific areas.

December 2024 saw a stark shift in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences tripling compared to November. This increase may reflect heightened social activity during the festive season, though the overall crime rate remained low. Violence and sexual offences, while still the most common category (36.8% of total crimes), fell by 63.2% month-on-month, suggesting a potential reduction in incidents linked to seasonal gatherings. Possession of weapons in the area was 400% above the UK average (0.1 vs 0.3 per 1,000), a figure that deserves closer attention despite the overall low crime rate. The absence of property crimes above the UK average—despite the typical December shopping season—may indicate effective local measures or lower foot traffic due to holiday closures. Residents may find the 1-in-370 monthly exposure rate reassuring, though the spike in anti-social behaviour highlights the need for community vigilance during peak social periods.

The crime rate in December 2024 fell to 2.7 per 1,000 residents, a 29.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as December’s darker evenings and holiday-related absences may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a low but consistent level of activity. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 370 residents, a figure that contextualises the impact of crime on the local population. With a population of 7,036, this suggests that the majority of residents are not directly affected by crime in any given month. The drop from November to December highlights the influence of seasonal rhythms, though the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This contrast underscores the area’s relatively safe environment compared to national trends.