Crime in Burwell: statistics, rates and trends
313 crimes were recorded in Burwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 42% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Burwell at a glance
- Crime trends in Burwell
- Types of crime in Burwell
- Burwell compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Burwell
- Streets with the most crime in Burwell
- What happened after crimes were reported in Burwell
- Population and deprivation in Burwell
- Questions about crime in Burwell
- About this data
313 crimes were recorded in Burwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 42% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 116 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Burwell has the 1,187th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Burwell | East Cambridgeshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 313 | 5,574 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 48.2 | 60.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +42% | +11% | -1% |
| Population | 6,496 | 92,906 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Burwell was highest in the year to July 2023 (338 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (206). 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 | 313 | 48.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 220 | 33.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 299 | 46.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 338 | 52.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 288 | 44.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 275 | 42.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 251 | 38.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 206 | 31.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 251 | 38.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 28 |
| June 2026 | 18 |
| May 2026 | 28 |
| April 2026 | 40 |
| March 2026 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 23 |
| January 2026 | 17 |
| December 2025 | 34 |
| November 2025 | 22 |
| October 2025 | 32 |
| September 2025 | 24 |
| August 2025 | 16 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Burwell 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 violence and sexual offences (+33%) and anti-social behaviour (+13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 116 | 17.9 | 0.52 | +33% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 52 | 8.0 | 0.52 | +13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 31 | 4.8 | 0.70 | +63% |
| Shoplifting | 25 | 3.8 | 0.46 | +92% |
| Burglary | 24 | 3.7 | 1.04 | +140% |
| Vehicle crime | 20 | 3.1 | 0.63 | +122% |
| Other theft | 13 | 2.0 | 0.31 | +8% |
| Public order | 13 | 2.0 | 0.30 | -19% |
| Other crime | 8 | 1.2 | 0.58 | +167% |
| Drugs | 4 | 0.6 | 0.19 | +100% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.5 | 0.48 | +200% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.5 | 0.27 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 0.11 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Burwell
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Burwell recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 37.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Burwell
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Burwell recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 16.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Burwell
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Burwell recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Burwell
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Burwell recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 92% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Burwell
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Burwell recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 140% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Burwell
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Burwell recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 122% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Burwell
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Burwell recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Burwell
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Burwell recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Burwell
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Burwell recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Burwell
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Burwell recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Burwell
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Burwell recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Burwell
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Burwell recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Burwell
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Burwell recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Burwell, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Burwell.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Burwell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newmarket | 1,549 | 75.5 | +57% |
| Soham | 709 | 58.5 | +21% |
| Waterbeach | 301 | 52.5 | +9% |
| Red Lodge | 292 | 41.0 | -15% |
| Cottenham | 455 | 62.1 | +29% |
| Ely | 1,640 | 80.7 | +67% |
| Mildenhall (West Suffolk) | 732 | 80.4 | +67% |
| Beck Row | 227 | 44.1 | -8% |
1 areas within Burwell, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Burwell had the highest rate (48.2 per 1,000) and Burwell the lowest (48.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burwell | Neighbourhood | 6,496 | 313 | 48.2 |
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 Burwell over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 31 |
| On or near Grantchester Rise | 28 |
| On or near Hawthorn Way | 17 |
| On or near Burling Way | 13 |
| On or near Barkways | 10 |
| On or near Garden Court | 10 |
| On or near The Causeway | 10 |
| On or near Guyatt Court | 9 |
| On or near Old Lode Court | 9 |
| On or near Westhorpe | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Burwell 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 107 | 34.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 92 | 29.4% |
| Not recorded | 52 | 16.6% |
| Under investigation | 34 | 10.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 8 | 2.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.6% |
Burwell has an estimated population of 6,496. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Burwell sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Burwell |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 77.3% |
| Social rented homes | 11.5% |
| Private rented homes | 11.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Burwell a safe place to live?
Burwell recorded 48.2 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 Burwell?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (52).
Is crime in Burwell going up or down?
Recorded crime in Burwell was up 42% on the year before: 313 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 220 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Burwell?
Burwell 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 Burwell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.