Crime in South Cambridgeshire: statistics, rates and trends

10,068 crimes were recorded in South Cambridgeshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 58.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,416 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, South Cambridgeshire has the 272nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Cambridgeshire was highest in the year to July 2026 (10,068 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (8,332). Over the whole period it rose 14%, 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 South 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. The largest increases were in drugs (+112%) and robbery (+49%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Cambridgeshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Cambridgeshire recorded 3,416 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 33.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Cambridgeshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Cambridgeshire recorded 1,926 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 19.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Cambridgeshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Cambridgeshire recorded 931 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Cambridgeshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Cambridgeshire recorded 710 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Cambridgeshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Cambridgeshire recorded 604 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Cambridgeshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Cambridgeshire recorded 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Cambridgeshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Cambridgeshire recorded 513 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Cambridgeshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Cambridgeshire recorded 456 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Cambridgeshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Cambridgeshire recorded 318 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 112% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Cambridgeshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Cambridgeshire recorded 309 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Cambridgeshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Cambridgeshire recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Cambridgeshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Cambridgeshire recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Cambridgeshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Cambridgeshire recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Cambridgeshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Cambridgeshire recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

64 areas within South Cambridgeshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Milton (South Cambridgeshire) had the highest rate (123.7 per 1,000) and West Wratting the lowest (27.1). 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 South Cambridgeshire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South 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.

South Cambridgeshire has an estimated population of 172,544. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Cambridgeshire sits in decile 8.1, 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 South Cambridgeshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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