Quick Facts:

• Cambridge’s Crime Rate: 96 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Dangerous Areas:
  • King’s Hedges: 183 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Trumpington: 155 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Abbey: 151 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Safest Areas:
  • Newnham: 21 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Queen Edith’s: 38 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Castle: 45 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour.

Source: CrimeRate

Is Cambridge Safe?

With a crime rate of 96 crimes per 1,000 people, Cambridge ranks among the safest major towns in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, like any town or city, certain neighbourhoods still experience crime, making it essential to stay vigilant.

In this article, we’ll explore Cambridge’s crime statistics, identifying the safest and most high-risk areas. We’ll also share practical safety tips to help businesses and residents enhance their security and peace of mind.

Is Cambridge A Safe Place To Live?

In 2023 and 2024, Cambridge’s crime rate held steady at 96 crimes per 1,000 people. While this remains higher than Cambridgeshire’s overall average (76 crimes per 1,000 people in 2024), Cambridge continues to rank among the safer major towns in the region, making it an attractive place to live and do business.

What Are the Safest Areas in Cambridge?

The safest areas in Cambridge in 2024 were:

• Newnham: 21 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Queen Edith’s: 38 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Castle: 45 crimes per 1,000 people.

Newnham, Queen Edith’s, and Castle are among the most desirable areas to live in Cambridge, each offering a unique blend of charm, convenience, and community.

Newnham is known for its picturesque setting, green spaces, and proximity to the River Cam, making it a peaceful and affluent area popular with families and academics.

Queen Edith’s is a residential neighbourhood in the south of the city, offering a mix of modern and traditional homes, excellent schools, and easy access to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, making it ideal professionals and families.

Castle combines historic character with a lively atmosphere, boasting stunning architecture, good local amenities, and easy access to both the city centre and countryside. These areas are well-regarded for their safety, quality of life, and strong sense of community.

Although these are Cambridge’s safest areas, they’re not entirely crime free. The most commonly reported offences in Newnham, Queen Edith’s, and Castle include violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and bicycle theft. While overall crime rates remain low, residents and businesses should still take basic precautions to safeguard their property and personal safety.

What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Cambridge?

Cambridge’s most dangerous areas in 2024 were:

• King’s Hedges: 183 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Trumpington: 155 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Abbey: 151 crimes per 1,000 people.

King’s Hedges, Trumpington, and Abbey are among the areas in Cambridge with higher crime rates, each presenting unique challenges for residents and business owners.

King’s Hedges is a largely residential area with a mix of social housing and private homes, where concerns about anti-social behaviour and property crime can affect quality of life. However, ongoing community initiatives aim to improve safety and local amenities.

Trumpington, while experiencing significant modern development and an influx of new housing, has seen rising crimes in certain areas, particularly around newer estates and retail areas. Business owners here may face issues like shoplifting and vandalism but benefit from a growing customer base due to the area’s expansion.

Abbey has higher incidents of theft, drug-related offences, and anti-social behaviour. While residents appreciate the proximity to green spaces and city amenities, some parts of Abbey require extra vigilance, particularly at night. Despite these challenges, local efforts are being made to enhance safety and community engagement in these areas.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Cambridge?

According to CrimeRate, the top 5 most common crimes in Cambridge in 2024 were:

• Violence and Sexual Offences: 4,613 incidents (20 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Shoplifting: 2,814 incidents (17 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Anti-Social Behaviour: 2,196 incidents (13 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Public Order: 1,373 (8 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Other Theft (including employee theft and blackmail): 1,346 incidents (8 crimes per 1,000 people)

Violence and sexual offences were the most common crimes reported, accounting for the majority of Cambridge’s overall crime rate. However, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, public order, and other theft are still a concern across the city.

Is Crime in Cambridge Increasing?

Crime in Cambridge has been increasing since 2021, however, it has remained the same over the past two years:

• 2021: 76 crimes per 1,000 people
• 2022: 88 crimes per 1,000 people
• 2023: 96 crimes per 1,000 people
• 2024: 96 crimes per 1,000 people

This trend shows that while crime in Cambridge has been gradually increasing since 2021, it has stabilised in the past two years. The consistency in crime rates from 2023 to 2024 suggests that efforts to address safety concerns may be having an impact, but it also indicates that challenges persist in certain areas.

How to Stay Safe in Cambridge

While crime in Cambridge has stabilised over the past two years, it’s important to acknowledge that crime rates have been rising since 2021. As a result, both residents and businesses should take proactive steps to ensure safety. Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe in Cambridge:

Tips for Residents:

• Secure Your Home: Ensure your property is well-lit and deter intruders by installing high quality locks on doors and windows.
• Invest in Security Technology: Protect your home by installing CCTV, alarm systems and motion-sensor lights to help deter burglars.
• Protect Your Belongings: Whether at home or in public, secure valuables and keep them out of sight to minimise risk of theft.

Tips for Businesses:

• Manned Guarding: Create secure and welcoming environment with fully licensed security guards stationed at your business premises.
• CCTV Monitoring Services: Consider 24/7 professional surveillance and real-time monitoring of your business premises to detect and respond to suspicious activity, and for added peace of mind.
• Keyholding and Alarm Response: These offer swift intervention of alarm activations on your business premises, ensuring continuous safety for employees, customers, and visitors.

Conclusion: Is Cambridge Safe?

As mentioned, Cambridge is one of the safest cities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, its crime rate has been rising since 2021. While local organisations are working to address crime, it’s still important to take extra precautions whether you’re visiting, living or running a business in the city.

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