Crime in Shelford: statistics, rates and trends
277 crimes were recorded in Shelford in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Shelford at a glance
- Crime trends in Shelford
- Types of crime in Shelford
- Shelford compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Shelford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Shelford
- Population and deprivation in Shelford
- Questions about crime in Shelford
- About this data
277 crimes were recorded in Shelford in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 80 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Shelford has the 3,626th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Shelford | South Cambridgeshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 277 | 10,068 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 35.3 | 58.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | +10% | -1% |
| Population | 7,857 | 172,544 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Shelford was highest in the year to July 2018 (403 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (266). Over the whole period it fell 31%, 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 | 277 | 35.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 298 | 37.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 304 | 38.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 281 | 35.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 310 | 39.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 266 | 33.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 363 | 46.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 400 | 50.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 403 | 51.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 21 |
| June 2026 | 13 |
| May 2026 | 12 |
| April 2026 | 20 |
| March 2026 | 23 |
| February 2026 | 22 |
| January 2026 | 21 |
| December 2025 | 28 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 23 |
| September 2025 | 31 |
| August 2025 | 34 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shelford 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 criminal damage and arson (-24%) and burglary (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 80 | 10.2 | 0.66 | +3% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 79 | 10.1 | 0.29 | +4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 26 | 3.3 | 0.49 | -24% |
| Other theft | 18 | 2.3 | 0.36 | +29% |
| Burglary | 17 | 2.2 | 0.61 | -23% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 1.9 | 0.39 | +0% |
| Drugs | 13 | 1.7 | 0.51 | +62% |
| Other crime | 11 | 1.4 | 0.66 | +267% |
| Public order | 7 | 0.9 | 0.13 | -59% |
| Shoplifting | 4 | 0.5 | 0.06 | -76% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.31 | -50% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.3 | 0.26 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.15 | +100% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | -80% |
Anti-social behaviour in Shelford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shelford recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 28.9% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Shelford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shelford recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 28.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Shelford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shelford recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Shelford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shelford recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Shelford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shelford recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Shelford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shelford recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Shelford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shelford recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Shelford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shelford recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 267% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Shelford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shelford recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 59% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Shelford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shelford recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 76% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Shelford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Shelford 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Shelford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shelford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Shelford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shelford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Shelford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shelford recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 80% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Shelford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shelford.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Shelford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawston | 314 | 41.9 | +19% |
| Harston & Comberton | 511 | 46.0 | +31% |
| Duxford | 226 | 48.4 | +37% |
| Fen Ditton & Fulbourn | 1,037 | 91.0 | +158% |
| Barrington | 188 | 45.8 | +30% |
| Girton | 180 | 37.5 | +6% |
| Histon & Impington | 955 | 81.0 | +130% |
| Melbourn | 546 | 52.5 | +49% |
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 Shelford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 59 |
| On or near Cambridge Road | 17 |
| On or near De Freville Road | 15 |
| On or near Macaulay Avenue | 12 |
| On or near Chalk Hill | 10 |
| On or near Gog Magog Way | 10 |
| On or near Davey Crescent | 8 |
| On or near Cherry Trees | 7 |
| On or near Hauxton Road | 7 |
| On or near Red Hill Close | 6 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shelford 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 | 86 | 31.0% |
| Not recorded | 80 | 28.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 72 | 26.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 14 | 5.1% |
| Under investigation | 12 | 4.3% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.4% |
Shelford has an estimated population of 7,857. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shelford sits in decile 9.2, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Shelford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.8% |
| Social rented homes | 14.5% |
| Private rented homes | 14.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 9.2 |
Is Shelford a safe place to live?
Shelford recorded 35.3 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 Shelford?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (79).
Is crime in Shelford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Shelford was down 7% on the year before: 277 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 298 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Shelford?
Shelford 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 Shelford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.