Crime in Cambridgeshire: statistics, rates and trends

54,491 crimes were recorded in Cambridgeshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 76.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 18,733 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Cambridgeshire has the 13th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cambridgeshire was highest in the year to July 2026 (54,491 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (50,254). Over the whole period it rose 2%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cambridgeshire over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in drugs (+67%) and other crime (+12%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cambridgeshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cambridgeshire recorded 18,733 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 34.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cambridgeshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cambridgeshire recorded 9,798 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 18.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cambridgeshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cambridgeshire recorded 4,638 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cambridgeshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cambridgeshire recorded 4,223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cambridgeshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cambridgeshire recorded 3,492 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cambridgeshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cambridgeshire recorded 2,799 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cambridgeshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cambridgeshire recorded 2,436 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cambridgeshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cambridgeshire recorded 2,115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cambridgeshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cambridgeshire recorded 1,952 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cambridgeshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cambridgeshire recorded 1,498 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cambridgeshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cambridgeshire recorded 1,249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cambridgeshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cambridgeshire recorded 712 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cambridgeshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cambridgeshire recorded 489 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cambridgeshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cambridgeshire recorded 357 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the counties closest to Cambridgeshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cambridgeshire.

5 areas within Cambridgeshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cambridge had the highest rate (109.9 per 1,000) and South Cambridgeshire the lowest (58.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cambridgeshire over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Cambridgeshire has an estimated population of 710,317. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cambridgeshire sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Cambridgeshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.