Crime in Milton & Waterbeach: statistics, rates and trends
1,010 crimes were recorded in Milton & Waterbeach in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Milton & Waterbeach at a glance
- Crime trends in Milton & Waterbeach
- Types of crime in Milton & Waterbeach
- Milton & Waterbeach compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Milton & Waterbeach
- What happened after crimes were reported in Milton & Waterbeach
- Population and deprivation in Milton & Waterbeach
- Questions about crime in Milton & Waterbeach
- About this data
1,010 crimes were recorded in Milton & Waterbeach in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 298 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Milton & Waterbeach has the 1,560th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Milton & Waterbeach | South Cambridgeshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,010 | 10,068 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 88.0 | 58.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | +10% | -1% |
| Population | 11,478 | 172,544 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Milton & Waterbeach was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,010 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (737). Over the whole period it rose 25%, 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 | 1,010 | 88.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 923 | 80.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 850 | 74.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 832 | 72.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 760 | 66.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 737 | 64.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 889 | 77.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 826 | 72.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 808 | 70.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 86 |
| June 2026 | 74 |
| May 2026 | 94 |
| April 2026 | 88 |
| March 2026 | 64 |
| February 2026 | 87 |
| January 2026 | 80 |
| December 2025 | 76 |
| November 2025 | 77 |
| October 2025 | 92 |
| September 2025 | 98 |
| August 2025 | 94 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Milton & Waterbeach 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 other theft, burglary.
The largest increases were in other theft (+119%) and burglary (+53%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-27%) and shoplifting (-16%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 298 | 26.0 | 0.76 | +14% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 169 | 14.7 | 0.96 | -27% |
| Other theft | 158 | 13.8 | 2.15 | +119% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 75 | 6.5 | 0.96 | -5% |
| Vehicle crime | 61 | 5.3 | 1.08 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 59 | 5.1 | 0.62 | -16% |
| Burglary | 55 | 4.8 | 1.35 | +53% |
| Public order | 51 | 4.4 | 0.67 | +19% |
| Drugs | 32 | 2.8 | 0.85 | +39% |
| Other crime | 20 | 1.7 | 0.83 | -13% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 1.1 | 1.17 | +62% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 0.8 | 0.95 | -10% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.7 | 0.52 | +300% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.10 | -60% |
Violence and sexual offences in Milton & Waterbeach
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 29.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Milton & Waterbeach
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 16.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Milton & Waterbeach
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 119% on the year before. It made up 15.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Milton & Waterbeach
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Milton & Waterbeach
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), close to 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.
Shoplifting in Milton & Waterbeach
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Milton & Waterbeach
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Milton & Waterbeach
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Milton & Waterbeach
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Milton & Waterbeach
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Milton & Waterbeach
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Milton & Waterbeach
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 9 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 down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Milton & Waterbeach
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Milton & Waterbeach
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Milton & Waterbeach recorded 2 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 down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Milton & Waterbeach, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Milton & Waterbeach.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Milton & Waterbeach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Histon & Impington | 955 | 81.0 | -8% |
| Cottenham | 455 | 62.1 | -29% |
| Girton | 180 | 37.5 | -57% |
| Fen Ditton & Fulbourn | 1,037 | 91.0 | +3% |
| Longstanton | 678 | 74.7 | -15% |
| Bar Hill | 373 | 73.4 | -17% |
| Over & Willingham | 370 | 48.4 | -45% |
| Shelford | 277 | 35.3 | -60% |
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 Milton & Waterbeach over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Coulson Close | 141 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 83 |
| On or near Supermarket | 83 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 51 |
| On or near Sunningdale Caravan Park | 48 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 39 |
| On or near Waddelow Road | 27 |
| On or near Fen Road | 19 |
| On or near Cambridge Road | 17 |
| On or near Chapel Close | 17 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Milton & Waterbeach 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 | 362 | 35.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 279 | 27.6% |
| Not recorded | 169 | 16.7% |
| Under investigation | 75 | 7.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 38 | 3.8% |
| Local resolution | 33 | 3.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 23 | 2.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 18 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.3% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 2 | 0.2% |
Milton & Waterbeach has an estimated population of 11,478. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Milton & Waterbeach sits in decile 7.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Milton & Waterbeach |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.5% |
| Social rented homes | 11.9% |
| Private rented homes | 20.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.6 |
Is Milton & Waterbeach a safe place to live?
Milton & Waterbeach recorded 88.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Milton & Waterbeach?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (169).
Is crime in Milton & Waterbeach going up or down?
Recorded crime in Milton & Waterbeach was up 9% on the year before: 1,010 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 923 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Milton & Waterbeach?
Milton & Waterbeach 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 Milton & Waterbeach. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.