Waterbeach Crime Rate

Waterbeach Crime Statistics

Waterbeach is a safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 54.8 per 1,000 people per year. This is substantially lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to a strong safety score of 87/100. However, the crime trend in Waterbeach is currently increasing, with a significant 24.2% rise year-over-year. This upward shift suggests that while the village remains a secure place to live, residents should be increasingly vigilant and focused on preventative security measures to help maintain the area's high safety standards.

Crime Breakdown in Waterbeach

In Waterbeach, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 38.6% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (15.4%) and criminal damage and arson (10.9%). The overall property crime rate—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—stands at 18.9 per 1,000 residents.

While the property crime rate is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, residents should note that vehicle crime accounts for 7.2% of all local offences, and "other theft" makes up 6.8%. This suggests that while burglary is relatively low at 2.7%, protecting vehicles and external property from opportunistic theft and damage is a primary security priority for the Waterbeach community.

Crime Trends in Waterbeach

The crime trend in Waterbeach is increasing, with a 24.2% rise over the last year. Monthly data reveals that activity was relatively stable at the start of the year, with a minimum of 2.3 per 1,000 in April 2025.

However, the rate climbed significantly through the summer and autumn, reaching a peak of 6.6 in July 2025 and remaining elevated between 4.3 and 6.0 through the end of the year. This sharp upward trajectory suggests that Waterbeach has seen a consistent increase in reported incidents. Residents should be aware of this trend and maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly during the summer months.

How To Keep Safe in Waterbeach

Violence and sexual offences are the top recorded crime type in Waterbeach. To stay safe in the village, consider these actionable tips:

1. Stick to well-lit main roads when walking through the village at night, and avoid less-populated footpaths.
2. Be aware of your surroundings near local shops and social hubs where anti-social behaviour is more frequently reported.
3. Secure your vehicle and avoid leaving any items on display, as vehicle crime is a notable factor (7.2%) in local property offences.
4. Ensure your home's windows and doors are securely locked, even though burglary is relatively low, to deter any opportunistic theft.
5. Join the local Waterbeach community groups or Neighbourhood Watch schemes to stay informed about safety initiatives and recent trends in the village.

Waterbeach Time Patterns

Crime in Waterbeach shows distinct temporal trends. Mornings and afternoons are characterized by theft-related offences (38% and 44% respectively), while burglary remains relatively low. This suggests that daytime activity is primarily focused on opportunistic theft in commercial and public areas.

In the evening, "other" crimes—including anti-social behaviour—rise to 54% of recorded incidents. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a dramatic shift towards vehicle crime, which accounts for 47% of all offences during these hours. This indicates that while the village is active with theft during the day, vehicles are at significant risk during the late-night and early-morning hours when streets are quietest.

Regional Comparison

Compared to nearby areas, Waterbeach (54.8) has a nearly identical crime rate to Cottenham (54.9). It is significantly safer than Milton (South Cambridgeshire), which has a much higher rate of 115.8. Smaller neighbouring villages like Landbeach and Horningsea report a 0.0 crime rate. This positioning shows that Waterbeach is a secure residential hub that maintains high safety standards while experiencing more typical urban-edge activity than its most rural neighbours.

Protecting Your Waterbeach Property

With property crime in Waterbeach at 18.9 per 1,000 and a sharply increasing trend, proactive security is becoming more important. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they provide you with footage of an incident after it has already happened. In a village like Waterbeach, where vehicle crime and criminal damage are key concerns, preventing an incident before it occurs is the best approach.

The scOS operating system offers proactive protection by using AI to monitor your property boundaries. It can distinguish between a delivery driver and a suspicious loiterer, only alerting you to real threats. For Waterbeach residents, scOS’s autonomous responses—such as engaging lights or speakers—can deter an intruder in the first 60 seconds of them stepping onto your property. This proactive intelligence turns your security from a recording device into a preventative shield, ensuring that your home and vehicles are protected before any harm is done. In an area with an increasing crime trend, this level of intelligent deterrence is invaluable.