Crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth: statistics, rates and trends
383 crimes were recorded in Holywell-cum-Needingworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 23% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth at a glance
- Crime trends in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
- Types of crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
- Holywell-cum-Needingworth compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
- Population and deprivation in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
- Questions about crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
- About this data
383 crimes were recorded in Holywell-cum-Needingworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 23% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 118 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Holywell-cum-Needingworth has the 3,102nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Holywell-cum-Needingworth | Huntingdonshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 383 | 12,940 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 48.1 | 67.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -23% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 7,959 | 190,619 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth was highest in the year to July 2025 (497 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (302). Over the whole period it rose 3%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 383 | 48.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 497 | 62.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 332 | 41.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 302 | 37.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 347 | 43.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 374 | 47.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 327 | 41.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 448 | 56.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 373 | 46.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 21 |
| June 2026 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 27 |
| April 2026 | 33 |
| March 2026 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 29 |
| January 2026 | 32 |
| December 2025 | 36 |
| November 2025 | 28 |
| October 2025 | 38 |
| September 2025 | 36 |
| August 2025 | 42 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Holywell-cum-Needingworth 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 falls were in shoplifting (-61%) and anti-social behaviour (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 118 | 14.8 | 0.43 | +1% |
| Shoplifting | 80 | 10.1 | 1.21 | -61% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 54 | 6.8 | 0.44 | -13% |
| Vehicle crime | 31 | 3.9 | 0.79 | +121% |
| Other theft | 27 | 3.4 | 0.53 | -4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 23 | 2.9 | 0.43 | +35% |
| Burglary | 21 | 2.6 | 0.75 | +24% |
| Public order | 10 | 1.3 | 0.19 | -47% |
| Drugs | 7 | 0.9 | 0.27 | -42% |
| Other crime | 7 | 0.9 | 0.42 | +133% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 0.39 | +200% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.31 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 30.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 61% on the year before. It made up 20.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 14.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 121% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Holywell-cum-Needingworth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Holywell-cum-Needingworth.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Holywell-cum-Needingworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somersham | 147 | 48.3 | +0% |
| St Ives East | 325 | 48.6 | +1% |
| St Ives South | 661 | 86.3 | +79% |
| St Ives West | 143 | 47.5 | -1% |
| Hemingford Grey & Houghton | 272 | 36.2 | -25% |
| Fenstanton | 243 | 46.8 | -3% |
| Warboys | 395 | 48.2 | +0% |
| Huntingdon East | 500 | 60.1 | +25% |
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 Holywell-cum-Needingworth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Needingworth Road | 94 |
| On or near Sunrise Meadow | 25 |
| On or near Egret Close | 16 |
| On or near St Mary'S Close | 14 |
| On or near Bridge End | 10 |
| On or near Hermitage Road | 10 |
| On or near High Street | 10 |
| On or near School Road | 8 |
| On or near B1086 | 7 |
| On or near Colne Road | 7 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Holywell-cum-Needingworth 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 153 | 39.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 103 | 26.9% |
| Not recorded | 54 | 14.1% |
| Under investigation | 24 | 6.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 5.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 3.9% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 0.8% |
Holywell-cum-Needingworth has an estimated population of 7,959. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Holywell-cum-Needingworth sits in decile 8.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Holywell-cum-Needingworth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 85.1% |
| Social rented homes | 5.5% |
| Private rented homes | 9.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.0 |
Is Holywell-cum-Needingworth a safe place to live?
Holywell-cum-Needingworth recorded 48.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (80).
Is crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Holywell-cum-Needingworth was down 23% on the year before: 383 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 497 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Holywell-cum-Needingworth?
Holywell-cum-Needingworth is policed by Cambridgeshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Holywell-cum-Needingworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.