Latest crime statistics for Peterborough reveal an increase in violent and sexual offences

The statistics, released on January 29, include Cambridgeshire Police crime data for the year ending September 2025.

The total number of recorded crimes (excluding fraud) across the city for this year was 23,087 – an increase of 1% from the previous year (22,769)

This includes the most serious crimes – with a recorded rise in the number of reported murders (33% increase), sexual offences (8% increase), cases involving death or serious injury caused by illegal driving (60% increase) and violence with injury (4% increase).

However, other crimes have seen a decrease - including robberies, burglaries, shoplifting, vehicle offences and public order offences.

Across the whole of Cambridgeshire, knife crime has also seen a slight increase – with 66 recorded offences, compared to the previous year’s 62.

But crimes involving firearms are down in the county, with 21 incidents recorded, compared to 36 the previous year – the lowest number for 12 years.

Nationally, in England and Wales, there has been a rise in sex crimes (8%) and drug offences (21%) over the same period, but a decrease in murders (-7%) and a drop in knife crime (-9%).

The latest ONS crime figures for Peterborough are as follows:

• Total crime: 23,087 – 1% increase from previous year’s figure of 22,769

• Violence Against a Person: 9,441 – 4% increase

• Homicide (murder): 4 – a 33% increase from previous year’s figure of 3.

• Death or Serious Injury Caused by Illegal Driving: 24 – a 60% increase from the previous year’s figure of 15.

• Violence with Injury: 2,080 – a 4% increase

• Violence Without Injury: 4,959 – a 2% increase

• Stalking and Harassment: 2,379 – increase of 9% from the previous year’s figure - 2,187

• Sexual Offences: 963 – an 8% increase

• Robbery: 261 – a decrease from the previous year’s figure of 268

• Theft Offences: 6,567 – a decrease from the previous year’s figure of 6,647

• Burglary: 805 – a decrease from 831

• Vehicle Offences: 1,339 – a decrease from 1,465

• Theft from a Person: 226 – down from 250 the previous year

• Bicycle Theft: 340 – down from 400 the previous year

• Shoplifting: 2,333 – an increase from 2,126 the previous year

• Criminal Damage & Arson: 2,180 – up from the previous year’s figure of 2,126

• Drug Offences: 769 – an increase of 18% from the previous year

• Possession of Weapon Offences: 411 – an increase from 340 the previous year

• Public Order Offences: 1,718 – a 17% decrease from the previous year’s figure of 2,088

• Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society: 777 – up from 660.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “It is always concerning to see an increase in knife crime, however, it’s important to note the rise could be due to any number of reasons, including the proactive work by officers to tackle the issue – such as more stop searches - or people having the confidence to report those who carry knives to us.

“We’re also combatting knife crime through Operation Guardian, targeting habitual knife carriers. It combines intelligence led policing, educational school visits and weapon amnesties to reduce the risk of knife crime in the county.”