Crime in Cambridge (Cambridge): statistics, rates and trends

16,738 crimes were recorded in Cambridge (Cambridge) in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,842 reports (29% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Cambridge (Cambridge) has the 269th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cambridge (Cambridge) was highest in the year to July 2018 (18,696 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (15,249). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 Cambridge (Cambridge) 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 shoplifting, bicycle theft, drugs.

The largest increases were in drugs (+103%) and other crime (+19%). The largest falls were in public order (-16%) and bicycle theft (-11%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 4,842 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 28.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 2,492 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 14.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 2,491 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 14.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 1,075 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 1,036 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 950 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 894 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 710 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 103% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 659 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 529 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 331 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 322 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 213 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cambridge (Cambridge)

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cambridge (Cambridge) recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Cambridge (Cambridge), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cambridge (Cambridge).

14 areas within Cambridge (Cambridge), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Market had the highest rate (355.2 per 1,000) and Castle the lowest (42.0). 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 Cambridge (Cambridge) over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cambridge (Cambridge) 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.

Cambridge (Cambridge) has an estimated population of 153,174. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cambridge (Cambridge) sits in decile 7.5, 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 Cambridge (Cambridge). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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