Waterbeach Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Waterbeach in September 2023 reveals a distinct balance between property and violent crime types, shaped by local patterns and seasonal factors. With a total crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents — 67.5% below the UK average of 8.0 — the area demonstrates a markedly lower level of criminal activity than the national benchmark. This rate translates to 14 total crimes reported over the month, with property crimes accounting for 8 (57.1% of the total) and violent crimes making up 5 (35.7%). The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences, which contributed 35.7% of all reported crimes. This contrasts sharply with the UK average for this category, which stands at 2.7 per 1,000 — a 67% deficit for Waterbeach. The seasonal context of September, marked by the return to school and university freshers, may have influenced this pattern, though the low crime rate overall suggests that community factors or local policing efforts could be playing a role. Burglary emerged as a significant concern, with 3 incidents reported — a 100% increase from the previous month. This category's rate of 0.6 per 1,000 was 87% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, highlighting a localised risk that warrants attention. Meanwhile, vehicle crime and criminal damage rates remained below UK averages, with the latter showing a 33% deficit. These figures illustrate a combination of local vulnerabilities and broader national trends, with Waterbeach's small population and built-up character likely contributing to its unique crime profile.

September 2023 saw significant shifts in Waterbeach's crime mix, with burglary and violence and sexual offences both rising sharply. Burglary increased by 100% from 0 to 3 incidents, a jump that outpaced the UK average for this category by 87%. This surge may reflect heightened vulnerability in residential areas during the transition back to school and university term. Concurrently, violence and sexual offences rose by 66.7% month-on-month, from 3 to 5 incidents — a 67% deficit compared to the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This increase, while concerning, still places Waterbeach far below national levels. Vehicle crime, by contrast, decreased by 33.3% from 3 to 2 incidents, aligning with its 17% below UK average. The property crime share of total incidents (57.1%) slightly exceeded violent crimes (35.7%), though this balance appears to be shifting. For residents, the most immediately relevant finding is the 87% gap between Waterbeach's burglary rate and the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted local measures. The low overall crime rate, however, continues to underscore the area's relative safety compared to the national picture.

Waterbeach's crime rate in September 2023 (2.6 per 1,000) represented a 27.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 2.1.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This monthly rise, while notable, must be contextualised within the area's small population of 5,344 residents. On a daily basis, the 14 total crimes reported over 30 days equate to roughly 0 crimes per day — a figure that highlights the low frequency of criminal activity in this built-up area. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 382 residents provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents. This figure is particularly striking when compared to the UK's broader context, where the average resident faces significantly higher exposure. The previous month's rate of 2.1 per 1,000 underscores the volatility in local crime patterns, with September's increase likely influenced by seasonal factors such as the return of students and the start of term. Despite this rise, Waterbeach's overall crime rate remains exceptionally low, with the most common crime types (violence and sexual offences, burglary) still falling well below UK averages for several categories. This contrast between local and national trends illustrates the unique characteristics of Waterbeach as a small, built-up area with a distinct crime profile shaped by its population size and community dynamics.