Crime Rate in Cambridge: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cambridge

The total recorded crimes in Cambridge, UK in January 2026 are around 1,453 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cambridge crime rate of 9.97 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (421) incidents (4.21% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (231) incidents (31.25% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (193) incidents (15.57% increase)
Cambridge Crime Hotspots

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

  • Sidney Street with total crimes: 63
  • Market Hill with total crimes: 33
  • Downing Street with total crimes: 30

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 (415 crimes), and the safest, Newnham (15 crimes), is 400 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Cambridge.

Similarly, the area of Central & West Cambridge (418 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Newtown (34 crimes), with a difference of 384 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Cambridge.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Market415
Abbey109
Arbury107
Petersfield107
East Chesterton107

Safest Wards:

Castle74
Coleridge63
Queen Edith's60
Romsey54
Newnham15

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central & West Cambridge418
East Barnwell & Abbey109
Arbury107
East Chesterton107
Kings Hedges96

Safest Areas:

Trumpington76
Coleridge63
Addenbrooke's & Queen Edith's60
Romsey54
Newtown34

Cambridge Crime Statstics

In January 2026 the Cambridge has recorded 1,453 crimes with crime rate of 9.97 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

CityJanuary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Cambridgeshire)CrimesRank (Cambridgeshire)CrimesRank (Cambridgeshire)
East Cambridgeshire491 56,222 55,241 5
South Cambridgeshire934 412,219 410,992 4
Huntingdonshire1,150 315,043 313,365 3
Fenland848 210,237 29,326 2

Cambridge Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (421 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (231 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 404 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 176 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (445 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (193 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (423 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (245 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (388 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (229 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (483 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (327 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 508 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 309 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (420 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (284 cases).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2911 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 242.58 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 327 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026231
December 2025176
November 2025193
October 2025187
September 2025229
August 2025327
July 2025229
June 2025231
May 2025286
April 2025284
March 2025289
February 2025249

A total of 198 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 16.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 25 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202613
December 202515
November 202518
October 202519
September 202516
August 202516
July 202525
June 202512
May 202524
April 202517
March 202512
February 202511

A total of 235 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 19.58 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202622
December 202512
November 202523
October 202528
September 202520
August 202522
July 202523
June 202520
May 202523
April 202516
March 202515
February 202511

A total of 1235 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 102.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 147 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202697
December 202578
November 202583
October 202596
September 202598
August 2025108
July 2025147
June 2025111
May 2025115
April 2025114
March 202596
February 202592

A total of 726 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 60.50 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 117 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202671
December 202596
November 2025117
October 2025109
September 202558
August 202557
July 202575
June 202538
May 202523
April 202521
March 202535
February 202526

A total of 1001 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 83.42 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 131 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202658
December 202573
November 202569
October 202598
September 202575
August 202568
July 202597
June 202576
May 202595
April 202568
March 2025131
February 202593

A total of 2793 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 232.75 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 309 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026193
December 2025167
November 2025147
October 2025245
September 2025216
August 2025276
July 2025309
June 2025284
May 2025279
April 2025217
March 2025255
February 2025205

A total of 5147 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 428.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 508 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026421
December 2025404
November 2025445
October 2025423
September 2025388
August 2025483
July 2025508
June 2025420
May 2025401
April 2025405
March 2025499
February 2025350

A total of 498 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 41.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202646
December 202520
November 202558
October 202525
September 202515
August 202557
July 202567
June 202558
May 202538
April 202551
March 202531
February 202532

A total of 648 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 54.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 69 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202657
December 202542
November 202559
October 202558
September 202555
August 202561
July 202563
June 202558
May 202557
April 202526
March 202569
February 202543

A total of 1178 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 98.17 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 121 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202693
December 202567
November 202580
October 2025100
September 202598
August 202598
July 2025117
June 2025121
May 2025105
April 202592
March 2025113
February 202594

A total of 256 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 21.33 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202619
December 202519
November 202517
October 202535
September 202518
August 202525
July 202516
June 202523
May 202523
April 202518
March 202521
February 202522

A total of 1136 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 94.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 118 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202673
December 202573
November 202587
October 202575
September 2025102
August 202598
July 2025118
June 202596
May 2025108
April 2025108
March 2025111
February 202587

A total of 571 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 47.58 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 59 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202659
December 202549
November 202544
October 202548
September 202559
August 202549
July 202548
June 202549
May 202542
April 202534
March 202537
February 202553

High Crime Locations Cambridge in January 2026

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

1. Sidney Street (Map)
Total63
Violence and sexual offences24
Theft from the person12
Shoplifting9
Public order3
Possession of weapons3
Other theft3
Criminal damage and arson3
Bicycle theft3
Anti-social behaviour3
2. Market Hill (Map)
Total33
Anti-social behaviour12
Public order6
Other theft6
Other crime3
Criminal damage and arson3
Bicycle theft3
3. Downing Street (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting23
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order2
Robbery1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting18
Theft from the person6
Other theft3
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total25
Anti-social behaviour7
Shoplifting6
Other theft4
Criminal damage and arson3
Robbery2
Public order2
Theft from the person1
6. Long Reach Road (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting18
Anti-social behaviour2

  • 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
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.