Crime Rate in Cambridge: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cambridge

The total recorded crimes in Cambridge, UK in May 2025 are around 1,619 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cambridge crime rate of 11.11 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Cambridge, encompassing approximately 145,674 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (401) incidents (-0.99% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (286) incidents (0.70% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (279) incidents (28.57% increase)
Cambridge Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Long Reach Road with total crimes: 43
  • Market Hill with total crimes: 39
  • Downing Street with total crimes: 38

Cambridge Police Info:

Cambridgeshire Constabulary

How safe is Cambridge?

To understand the safety of Cambridge, we need to analyze Cambridge crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Cambridge has recorded 21,737 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 149.22 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 31 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 16,901 crimes with a crime rate of 116.02, ranking it 77 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Cambridgeshire:

    • In 2024, Cambridge reported a higher crime volume than the Cambridgeshire average, with 21,737 crimes compared to 13,092. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Cambridge recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Cambridge experienced a greater number of crimes than the Cambridgeshire average, with 16,901 crimes compared to 11,165. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Cambridge recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Cambridge is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Cambridgeshire, Cambridge has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Cambridge Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Market (512 crimes), and the safest, Newnham (39 crimes), is 473 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Cambridge.

Similarly, the area of Central & West Cambridge (531 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Newtown (46 crimes), with a difference of 485 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Cambridge.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Market512
East Chesterton146
Abbey127
Petersfield116
King's Hedges115

Safest Wards:

Trumpington68
Romsey65
Cherry Hinton60
Queen Edith's49
Newnham39

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central & West Cambridge531
East Chesterton146
East Barnwell & Abbey127
Kings Hedges115
Petersfield94

Safest Areas:

Romsey65
Trumpington64
Cherry Hinton60
Addenbrooke's & Queen Edith's49
Newtown46

Cambridge Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Cambridge has recorded 1,619 crimes with crime rate of 11.11 ranking 11007th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Cambridgeshire.

In 2024, the total Cambridge crimes were 21,737. The crime rate of Cambridge in 2024 was 149.22 (year) or 12.43 (month) ranking it 31 danzarous in the UK. Cambridge ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Cambridgeshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Cambridge were around 16,901 crimes with yearly crime rate of 116.02 (year) or 9.67 (month) ranking 77 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Cambridgeshire, Cambridge ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Cambridge

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Cambridgeshire)CrimesRank (Cambridgeshire)CrimesRank (Cambridgeshire)
East Cambridgeshire431 56,222 55,241 5
South Cambridgeshire1,037 412,219 410,992 4
Huntingdonshire1,347 315,043 313,365 3
Fenland833 210,237 29,326 2

Cambridge Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (401 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (286 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (405 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (284 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (499 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (289 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 350 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 249 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (396 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (284 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 393 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 213 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (416 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (227 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (440 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (247 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (442 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (270 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (500 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (321 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 459 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 299 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (936 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (608 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3575 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 297.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 608 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025286
April 2025284
March 2025289
February 2025249
January 2025284
December 2024213
November 2024227
October 2024245
September 2024270
August 2024321
July 2024299
June 2024608

A total of 5637 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 469.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 936 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025401
April 2025405
March 2025499
February 2025350
January 2025396
December 2024393
November 2024416
October 2024440
September 2024442
August 2024500
July 2024459
June 2024936

A total of 215 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202516
March 202515
February 202511
January 202513
December 202417
November 202415
October 202413
September 202421
August 202424
July 202421
June 202426

A total of 712 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 59.33 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 92 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202557
April 202526
March 202569
February 202543
January 202560
December 202459
November 202453
October 202428
September 202492
August 202486
July 202449
June 202490

A total of 311 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 25.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202518
March 202521
February 202522
January 202526
December 202433
November 202424
October 202417
September 202434
August 202425
July 202424
June 202444

A total of 1418 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 118.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 264 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202595
April 202568
March 2025131
February 202593
January 2025124
December 202496
November 2024126
October 202494
September 202491
August 2024109
July 2024127
June 2024264

A total of 222 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202524
April 202517
March 202512
February 202511
January 202511
December 20249
November 202411
October 202426
September 202421
August 202431
July 202411
June 202438

A total of 1524 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 127.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 274 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025115
April 2025114
March 202596
February 202592
January 202586
December 2024132
November 2024106
October 2024134
September 2024113
August 2024119
July 2024143
June 2024274

A total of 1377 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 114.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 224 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025108
April 2025108
March 2025111
February 202587
January 2025112
December 202486
November 202499
October 202487
September 202499
August 2024133
July 2024123
June 2024224

A total of 1453 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 121.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 276 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025105
April 202592
March 2025113
February 202594
January 202598
December 202480
November 202470
October 2024104
September 2024102
August 2024177
July 2024142
June 2024276

A total of 366 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.50 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 55 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202521
March 202535
February 202526
January 202536
December 202423
November 202425
October 202455
September 202430
August 202427
July 202421
June 202444

A total of 603 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 50.25 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 112 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202538
April 202551
March 202531
February 202532
January 202515
December 202450
November 202430
October 202459
September 202433
August 202460
July 2024112
June 202492

A total of 661 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 55.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 104 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202542
April 202534
March 202537
February 202553
January 202560
December 202463
November 202458
October 202445
September 202448
August 202456
July 202461
June 2024104

A total of 2952 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 246.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 426 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025279
April 2025217
March 2025255
February 2025205
January 2025193
December 2024206
November 2024192
October 2024247
September 2024188
August 2024301
July 2024243
June 2024426

High Crime Locations Cambridge in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Cambridge postcode area is presented below.

1. Long Reach Road (Map)
Total43
Shoplifting42
Vehicle crime1
2. Market Hill (Map)
Total39
Anti-social behaviour15
Violence and sexual offences9
Shoplifting3
Robbery3
Public order3
Other theft3
Bicycle theft3
3. Downing Street (Map)
Total38
Shoplifting37
Bicycle theft1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total28
Shoplifting25
Public order3
5. Sidney Street (Map)
Total27
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Shoplifting3
Public order3
Other theft3
Other crime3
Anti-social behaviour3
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting15
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order3
Bicycle theft3

To know about postcode areas in Cambridge, visit Cambridge information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
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