Crime in Cambridge: statistics, rates and trends

16,407 crimes were recorded in Cambridge in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,712 reports (29% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Cambridge has the 72nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cambridge was highest in the year to July 2018 (18,324 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (14,901). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 Cambridge 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 shoplifting, bicycle theft, drugs.

The largest increases were in drugs (+105%) and other crime (+19%). The largest falls were in public order (-15%) and criminal damage and arson (-11%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cambridge

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cambridge recorded 4,712 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 28.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cambridge

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cambridge recorded 2,485 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 15.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cambridge

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cambridge recorded 2,428 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cambridge

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cambridge recorded 1,046 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cambridge

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cambridge recorded 1,006 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cambridge

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cambridge recorded 941 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cambridge

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cambridge recorded 891 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cambridge

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cambridge recorded 696 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 105% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cambridge

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cambridge recorded 648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cambridge

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cambridge recorded 511 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cambridge

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cambridge recorded 330 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cambridge

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cambridge recorded 311 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 19% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cambridge

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cambridge recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cambridge

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cambridge recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

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

15 areas within Cambridge, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Market had the highest rate (355.2 per 1,000) and Castle the lowest (42.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Cambridge over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cambridge 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.

Cambridge has an estimated population of 149,352. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cambridge sits in decile 7.6, 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 Cambridge. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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