Waterbeach Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2024, Waterbeach—a built-up area within South Cambridgeshire—recorded 14 crimes, translating to a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 69% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, placing the area firmly in the safer end of the national spectrum. The crime mix reveals a clear focus on property-related offences: burglary accounted for 21.4% of all incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (14.3%) and vehicle crime (14.3%). These patterns align with Waterbeach’s character as a relatively low-density, suburban-like environment where property crime may be influenced by factors such as the presence of residential housing and limited commercial activity. Seasonal factors in May—such as bank holidays and extended daylight hours—could have contributed to the overall low crime rate, though the absence of significant spikes in violence or anti-social behaviour suggests that the area’s social dynamics remain stable. The UK comparison underscores Waterbeach’s safety, but the local data also highlights areas of concern: burglary rates are 94% above the national average, a discrepancy that may warrant targeted policing or community engagement. Meanwhile, categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences are significantly below UK levels, reflecting a community that appears to maintain a strong sense of cohesion and low conflict. These findings illustrate a place where crime is rare but not absent, with specific vulnerabilities that require attention.

May 2024 saw notable shifts in Waterbeach’s crime mix, with three categories experiencing 100% increases from the previous month: other crime, vehicle crime, and other theft. These jumps, though small in absolute terms, indicate emerging patterns that may reflect seasonal factors such as increased outdoor activity during longer evenings. Conversely, violent and sexual offences dropped sharply by 88.2%, from 17 to 2, a decline that aligns with the generally low levels of violent crime in the area. Burglary remains a standout concern, with a rate of 0.6 per 1,000—94% above the UK average—suggesting a specific vulnerability in property security. This contrast with categories like public order offences, which fell 75% to 1 incident, highlights the uneven distribution of risk. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is that while violent crime is rare, property crime—particularly burglary—requires continued vigilance.

Waterbeach's crime rate in May 2024 dropped to 2.6 per 1,000 residents, a 56.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.0. This decline brings the area’s monthly exposure to roughly one reported crime for every 382 residents—a figure that contextualises the rarity of crime in a community of 5,344 people. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 0 crimes per day in May, highlighting the low frequency of incidents relative to the population size. When compared to the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, Waterbeach’s current rate remains 69% below, underscoring its status as a relatively safe area. However, the local crime profile reveals specific disparities: burglary rates are 94% above the UK average, a stark contrast to categories like anti-social behaviour, which are 86% below the national figure. These variations suggest that while overall safety is strong, targeted vulnerabilities—such as property crime—require focused attention. For residents, the data implies that daily life in Waterbeach is largely unaffected by crime, with most interactions with the police likely stemming from non-violent, low-impact incidents.