Waterbeach Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Waterbeach’s August 2024 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents places the area 31.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, highlighting its position as a relatively safe built-up area within South Cambridgeshire. The most prevalent crime type was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 46.7% of all reported incidents (14 cases), followed by violence and sexual offences (13.3%) and criminal damage and arson (10.0%). This mix contrasts with the UK average, where property-related crimes dominate more significantly. The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—may contribute to the surge in anti-social behaviour, as temporary increases in population and community events can strain local resources and amplify disorderly conduct. Conversely, the area’s low violent crime rate (0.8 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (2.7 per 1,000) aligns with Waterbeach’s character as a small, low-density town with limited commercial or nightlife hubs. This pattern is consistent with broader trends in similar rural-adjacent built-up areas, where crime tends to be concentrated in property-related and public order offences rather than violent crime. The absence of significant spikes in vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) or burglary (0.2 per 1,000) further reinforces the area’s distinct profile, with crime rates for these categories remaining well below national benchmarks. These figures underscore the importance of contextualising local data within both geographical and seasonal frameworks, ensuring that comparisons to the UK average reflect the unique dynamics of Waterbeach’s community.

August saw dramatic increases in anti-social behaviour (+133.3%), criminal damage and arson (+200%), and other theft (+100%), while violence and sexual offences fell by 20%. These shifts highlight a notable departure from July’s pattern, with property-related crimes (anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, other theft) comprising 66.7% of total crimes—substantially higher than the UK average for property crimes (54.3%). Anti-social behaviour alone, at 2.6 per 1,000, is 81% above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000, suggesting a localised issue that may be tied to August’s peak holiday season and increased community activity. Conversely, violent crime rates in Waterbeach (0.8 per 1,000) are 70% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), a disparity consistent with the area’s character as a low-density built-up area with limited nightlife or high-risk environments. Residents may find the 133.3% rise in anti-social behaviour particularly concerning, as it represents the largest single category of reported crime for the month.

Waterbeach’s crime rate in August 2024 (5.6 per 1,000 residents) marks a 99.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 2.8 per 1,000. This surge, though significant, remains 31.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of one reported crime per day in August, a figure that may appear low but reflects the area’s relatively small population of 5,344. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 178 residents, illustrating the low frequency of incidents relative to the local population. This monthly exposure rate contextualises the data for residents, showing that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime is minimal compared to national trends. The contrast with the UK average underscores Waterbeach’s distinct position as a low-crime area, despite the month-on-month fluctuation. Such patterns may reflect transient factors, such as seasonal events or temporary spikes in specific crime categories, rather than systemic trends.