Crime in March: statistics, rates and trends
2,097 crimes were recorded in March in the 12 months to July 2026, 97.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,097 crimes were recorded in March in the 12 months to July 2026, 97.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 881 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, March has the 388th highest crime rate.
| Measure | March | Fenland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,097 | 9,502 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 97.2 | 90.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 21,574 | 104,896 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in March was highest in the year to July 2023 (2,223 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,803). Over the whole period it rose 11%, 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 | 2,097 | 97.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,198 | 101.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,068 | 95.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,223 | 103.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,034 | 94.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,024 | 93.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,088 | 96.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,803 | 83.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,882 | 87.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 173 |
| June 2026 | 178 |
| May 2026 | 181 |
| April 2026 | 152 |
| March 2026 | 173 |
| February 2026 | 155 |
| January 2026 | 186 |
| December 2025 | 155 |
| November 2025 | 186 |
| October 2025 | 184 |
| September 2025 | 190 |
| August 2025 | 184 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in March 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 crime, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in drugs (+46%) and other theft (+22%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-62%) and possession of weapons (-41%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 881 | 40.8 | 1.19 | +0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 392 | 18.2 | 1.18 | +22% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 174 | 8.1 | 1.19 | -13% |
| Other theft | 151 | 7.0 | 1.09 | +22% |
| Public order | 96 | 4.4 | 0.67 | -16% |
| Other crime | 88 | 4.1 | 1.93 | -36% |
| Drugs | 70 | 3.2 | 0.99 | +46% |
| Vehicle crime | 67 | 3.1 | 0.63 | -8% |
| Shoplifting | 57 | 2.6 | 0.32 | -62% |
| Burglary | 54 | 2.5 | 0.71 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 24 | 1.1 | 1.15 | -41% |
| Bicycle theft | 23 | 1.1 | 1.30 | -23% |
| Theft from the person | 11 | 0.5 | 0.30 | +57% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.4 | 0.31 | -44% |
Violence and sexual offences in March
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. March recorded 881 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 42.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in March
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. March recorded 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 18.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in March
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. March recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in March
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. March recorded 151 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 up 22% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in March
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. March recorded 96 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 down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in March
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. March recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in March
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. March recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in March
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. March recorded 67 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 down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in March
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. March recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in March
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. March recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in March
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. March recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in March
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. March recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in March
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. March recorded 11 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 up 57% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in March
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. March recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to March, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to March.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs March |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doddington and Wimblington | 282 | 56.2 | -42% |
| Chatteris | 854 | 76.5 | -21% |
| Elm and Emneth | 402 | 71.9 | -26% |
| Wisbech | 3,391 | 131.9 | +36% |
| Whittlesey | 1,069 | 69.7 | -28% |
| Ramsey | 552 | 100.4 | +3% |
| Littleport | 651 | 74.7 | -23% |
| Warboys | 263 | 49.5 | -49% |
4 areas within March, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. March West & Benwick had the highest rate (106.8 per 1,000) and March North the lowest (72.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March West & Benwick | Neighbourhood | 5,900 | 630 | 106.8 |
| March South | Neighbourhood | 4,009 | 396 | 98.8 |
| March East | Neighbourhood | 6,941 | 624 | 89.9 |
| March North | Neighbourhood | 8,211 | 597 | 72.7 |
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 March over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 118 |
| On or near Prison | 110 |
| On or near Broad Street | 80 |
| On or near Hundred Road | 73 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 53 |
| On or near Acre Road | 47 |
| On or near Southwell Close | 41 |
| On or near The Green | 38 |
| On or near Sherbrooke Close | 37 |
| On or near Lake Close | 35 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in March 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 | 751 | 35.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 470 | 22.4% |
| Not recorded | 392 | 18.7% |
| Under investigation | 140 | 6.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 92 | 4.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 73 | 3.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 67 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 52 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 33 | 1.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 25 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% |
March has an estimated population of 21,574. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in March sits in decile 4.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | March |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.4% |
| Social rented homes | 12.5% |
| Private rented homes | 21.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 8.1% |
Is March a safe place to live?
March recorded 97.2 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 March?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 881 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (392).
Is crime in March going up or down?
Recorded crime in March was down 5% on the year before: 2,097 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,198 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers March?
March 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 March. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.