Waterbeach Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Waterbeach’s crime profile in October 2024 reflects a combination of seasonal and local factors, with a total of 16 crimes recorded across the built-up area—a crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents, 63% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences (7 incidents, 43.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (5 incidents, 31.3%) and criminal damage and arson (2 incidents, 12.5%). These figures, while significantly lower than the UK average for all categories except robbery, highlight the area’s unique dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, though down from September, remain a key concern, with their rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents 51% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, which rose by 66.7% compared to the previous month, may be influenced by the Halloween holiday and increased social activity in the area. The sharp increase in robbery (100% from zero to one incident) contrasts with the overall decline in crime, suggesting a need for further investigation into specific circumstances that may have enabled this isolated incident. Seasonal factors, including the clocks going back and darker evenings, likely contributed to shifts in crime patterns, though the area’s small population and built-up character may also play a role in shaping these trends. The low crime rate overall, despite the robbery spike, reinforces Waterbeach’s status as a relatively safe community, even as localised fluctuations warrant attention.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in October 2024 was the 100% increase in robbery, with one reported incident compared to zero in September. This spike, though isolated, contrasts sharply with the 36.4% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 11 to 7. The reduction in violent crime may reflect seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings and the Halloween holiday, which could have altered public behaviour or reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour rose by 66.7%, from three to five incidents, a trend that may be linked to increased social gatherings during the autumn period. Robbery in Waterbeach exceeded the UK average by 100%, with a rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents compared to the national average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly suggests a need for targeted local measures, despite the overall low crime profile of the area.

Waterbeach's crime rate in October 2024 (3.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a 38.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal trend, as shorter daylight hours and the transition into winter may reduce opportunities for outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, highlights the persistent presence of criminal activity within a small built-up area. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, the data shows that over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 334 residents—a statistic that contextualises the scale of crime relative to the local population. Given Waterbeach’s population of 5,344, this rate underscores the area’s relatively safe profile, though it also invites scrutiny of the specific types of crimes that remain prevalent, such as anti-social behaviour and violence. These figures, when compared to the UK average, reinforce Waterbeach’s position as a low-crime community, even as localised challenges persist.