Peterborough Crime Rate 2026: Statistics, Trends, and Area Safety

Trying to understand the Peterborough crime rate? Whether you live locally, are thinking about moving, or just want a clearer picture of safety in the city, headlines rarely tell the full story.

This guide breaks down the latest Peterborough crime statistics in plain terms. You’ll see where crime is most often reported, which neighbourhoods tend to be safer, and how local patterns have changed over time. You’ll also find practical tips to help you stay safe in everyday situations.

Peterborough Crime Rate: Latest Statistics and Overview

Is Peterborough safe? It’s a fair question, and the Peterborough crime rate does sit above average when you look at the latest official figures.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)’s most recent Crime in England and Wales report for the year ending June 2025, Peterborough recorded 23,061 police-reported crimes. That gives a crime rate of 105.9 offences per 1,000 people, representing a 2% increase compared with the previous year.

To understand what that means in context, the table below compares the crime rate in Peterborough with the England and Wales average, Cambridgeshire as a whole, and several other UK cities.

ONS Crime Rate 2025

Source: ONS Crime in England and Wales report for the year ending June 2025 (excluding fraud)

As the table shows, Peterborough’s crime rate sits well above the England and Wales average and significantly higher than Cambridgeshire overall. It is broadly comparable to large urban areas such as London and Sheffield, though lower than cities like Leeds and Birmingham.

Other sources show slightly different totals. Data compiled by CrimeRate, which uses a daytime population method to reflect commuting and city-centre activity, recorded 17,194 crimes in the 12 months ending November 2025. That equates to around 102 crimes per 1,000 people.

Using this approach, CrimeRate ranks Peterborough as the highest-crime city in Cambridgeshire and places it among the top 20 most dangerous cities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

That sounds stark, but it’s important to read those rankings in context.

Peterborough is a large and fast-growing city, with a population of over 215,000 based on the 2021 census. It acts as a major regional hub for employment, retail, and transport, which brings higher daytime footfall and reporting volumes, especially in and around the city centre.

As in most urban areas, crime in Peterborough is not evenly spread. Rates vary widely by neighbourhood and by crime type, which is why looking beyond headline figures is essential.

Common Types of Crime in Peterborough and Recent Trends

Once you look beyond the headline Peterborough crime rate, the picture becomes clearer. A small number of crime types account for most reports, and some matter more to daily life than others.

Based on data from CrimeRate covering the 12 months to November 2025, violence-related offences lead by a wide margin. Anti-social behaviour follows, then a mix of damage, theft, and public order offences.

The table below shows the full breakdown.

Crime Breakdown in Peterborough (12 Months to Nov 2025)

Source: CrimeRate.co.uk, Crime and Safety in Peterborough report, 12 months to November 2025

A quick note on the “UK average” column: A score of 1.0 matches the national average. Anything above that means the crime happens more often in Peterborough than across the UK as a whole.

Violence and sexual offences

With nearly 7,900 reports and a rate of 47 incidents per 1,000 people, this category has the biggest impact on Peterborough’s totals. It runs at one and a half times the UK average and has risen by just over 8% over the past three years.

In practice, many of these incidents cluster around busy routes, nightlife areas, and transport hubs rather than quiet residential streets.

Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is the second-largest category, with 3,492 reports. This can range from noise and disorder to repeated local nuisance. It’s often very location-specific, which is why some neighbourhoods feel calm while others don’t.

Damage and arson

Criminal damage and arson sit at 1.43 times the national average, with a 5.7% rise over three years. While these offences don’t always involve direct harm, they can affect cars, public spaces, and shared areas.

Shoplifting

With 1,513 reports, shoplifting is a noticeable part of the local picture. This mirrors what’s happening across the country. According to the ONS, shoplifting rose by 13% across England and Wales in the year to June 2025, so Peterborough is not an outlier here.

Weapons offences and bike theft

Two categories sit well above the UK average:

• Possession of weapons, which occurs at 2.5 times the national rate and is up 35% over three years.
• Bicycle theft, at more than double the UK average.

These figures don’t mean most people will encounter these crimes, but they do highlight where simple precautions, like secure storage and good locks, matter.

Most Dangerous Areas in Peterborough

Crime in Peterborough doesn’t spread itself evenly. It gathers in busy places. Areas with shops, nightlife, transport links, and high footfall tend to see more reports. That’s why “most dangerous” usually means repeat hotspots, not entire neighbourhoods.

Here are the places that most often show up in police data:

Peterborough City Centre

The city centre consistently records higher monthly totals than most other parts of the city. Police data shows repeated reports linked to violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour.

This is typical of busy centres with nightlife, transport links, and retail. Risk tends to rise in the evenings and at weekends, rather than during the day.

Millfield, New England, and parts of Park Ward

This cluster stands out for a clearer reason than most. Cambridgeshire Constabulary has formally identified parts of Millfield, New England, and Park Ward as high-harm areas, which is why they were chosen for the Alliance crime reduction initiative.

That doesn’t mean every street feels unsafe. It does mean this is a part of the city where crime is more concentrated, and where checking individual streets and surroundings really matters.

Specific local hotspots flagged in neighbourhood priorities

Local policing updates often give the clearest picture of where issues are recurring. In recent reports, police have highlighted:

• Eastgate (Peterborough East), where teams have focused on tackling drug dealing
• Grove Street in Woodston (Peterborough South), linked to drug activity and related anti-social behaviour
• The Orton Centre, where anti-social behaviour has been a regular concern
• Bretton and West Ward (Peterborough North), where bicycle theft has been named as a priority issue

These aren’t blanket warnings. Think of them as signals, not labels. They help you understand where problems have been concentrated, so you can ask better questions and make more informed choices.

Safest Areas in Peterborough

On the other hand, some parts of Peterborough consistently record lower crime levels than the rest of the city. Based on StreetScan ward-level summaries using Police.uk data, the following wards stand out as the safest in 2025.

• Barnack: Barnack has the lowest recorded crime rate in Peterborough in the latest data. It recorded around 44.9 crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Wittering: Wittering follows closely behind, with a crime rate of 49.8 per 1,000 residents over the same period.
• Glinton and Castor: Glinton and Castor sits third. The ward recorded 56.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, keeping it firmly among the safer parts of the city.
• Stanground South: Stanground South ranks fourth lowest, with a crime rate of 58.6 per 1,000 residents.
• Eye, Thorney and Newborough: This ward rounds out the top five safest areas, with 66.7 crimes per 1,000 residents.

No area is crime-free. Even in lower-crime wards, you’ll usually find one or two small hotspots, often near parks, shops, or shared spaces. What sets these areas apart is that crime is less frequent and less concentrated overall.

How to Stay Safe in Peterborough

Living in Peterborough, like any city with above-average crime, doesn’t mean you’re unsafe. Most people go about their lives without problems. A little awareness and a few smart habits can make a real difference.

Stay alert when you’re out at night

Being out at night in Peterborough is usually fine. Still, the city centre and other high-footfall areas do see more reported incidents. A bit of planning and awareness can make nights out smoother:

• Choose well-lit main routes back to transport hubs or parking, even if it adds a couple of minutes.
• Stick to busy streets after dark, especially on weekends when crowds and alcohol change the feel of an area fast.
• Keep your phone and wallet out of sight when you’re not using them. It’s easy to get distracted at taxi ranks or outside takeaways.
• If you’re heading home alone, share your route with a friend and let someone know you’re back.

Reduce the risk of bike theft

Bike theft stands out locally, and it often happens fast. To make your bike harder to steal:

• Use a solid D-lock on the frame and rear wheel, not just a cable lock.
• Lock to a fixed object (and check it really is fixed).
• If you can, store your bike indoors overnight. Hallways and shared stairwells are common weak points.
• Register your bike on BikeRegister and keep a photo and frame number saved. It makes recovery more likely if it’s found.

Protect your car and belongings

Vehicle crime is not the biggest category, but it’s common enough that basic routines help.

• Don’t leave bags, coats, or tech in view, even “empty” bags invite a smashed window.
• If you can, park under lighting or near footfall, not tucked away behind buildings.
• Consider a steering wheel lock if you have a vehicle model that’s a known target.
• Double-check doors are locked. It sounds obvious, but “try-the-handle” thefts still happen.

Safeguard your home

Good home security doesn’t have to be complicated. Most break-ins happen because a place looks easy, not because it looks valuable. The aim is to remove simple opportunities.

Start with a few habits that work anywhere in the city:

• Lock doors and windows every time, even for short trips.
• Use outside lighting on paths, driveways, and side entrances.
• Keep ladders, tools, and bins away from fences and windows.
• Use timers on lights if you’re out in the evening.

Once those basics are covered, security devices can add another layer of protection. Cameras and video doorbells help you keep an eye on your home, deter unwanted activity, and give you a clear record if something does happen.

Outdoor security cameras

Outdoor security cameras watch entry points like the front door, driveway, side access, and any gate to the back. A good setup gives you a wide view for context and enough detail to recognise faces or number plates.

If you want outdoor coverage without running cables, the eufyCam S4 fits well. It combines a fixed 4K wide-angle lens with a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) unit that pans 360°, zoom in on details up to 50 metres away, and follows movement automatically.

This lets you keep one part of your property under constant watch while still tracking activity elsewhere.

The detachable solar panel reduces the need for frequent charging, which is useful if the camera sits high up. Motion detection combines radar and PIR, and it can tell the difference between people, vehicles, and pets, so alerts stay relevant.

Clips save locally using built-in storage, with the option to expand via microSD and the HomeBase™ S380.

If you own your home or can run cables neatly, a PoE NVR system gives constant coverage without worrying about batteries. The eufy NVR Security System S4 Max is designed for 24/7 recording, which is helpful if you want a full timeline, not just motion clips.

It uses an 8-channel NVR that can expand to 16 channels, with 2TB of local storage and support for much more if needed.

The cameras use a triple-lens design, combining a 4K bullet camera with PTZ lenses, plus 355° wide rotation and 8× hybrid zoom. In everyday terms, this means you get a broad view and the ability to zoom in without losing context.

Features like dynamic tracking, auto-framing, and cross-camera tracking help keep people in view as they move around your property. Smart video search can also make it quicker to find a specific moment in a full day of footage.

Indoor security cameras

Indoor security cameras are most useful on natural walking routes. Hallways, stairs, and main living areas tend to give the clearest picture of movement without feeling intrusive.

The eufy Indoor Cam S350 works well when one camera needs to cover a full room. It uses two cameras in one unit: a 4K wide-angle lens and a 2K telephoto lens with up to 8× hybrid zoom. That lets you check the whole space and then zoom in if something needs a closer look.

The camera can pan and tilt almost fully around the room, which helps reduce blind spots in open layouts. AI tracking follows movement across the space, so you can see where someone goes rather than just where they first appear.

In low light, the wide-aperture sensor and adaptive infrared help keep faces clearer at night. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with WPA3 security, which can improve connection stability and network protection.

Video doorbells

A doorbell camera is often the first line of defence. It lets you see who’s at your door and speak to them, even when you’re not home. The eufy Video Doorbell E340 is designed to give a clear view of both people and packages.

It uses two cameras: one aimed at visitors and another pointed downward at the doorstep. This makes it easier to see deliveries and check what happened if something goes missing.

The main cam records in 2K and uses dual-light colour night vision to keep the area visible after dark. You can run it on battery power or wire it in, which suits both renters and homeowners.

Footage saves locally, so you’re not forced into a subscription. Two-way audio lets you speak to visitors, and AI alerts for people, packages, and faces help cut down on unnecessary notifications.

Conclusion

The Peterborough crime rate shows a city with clear challenges, but also clear patterns. Crime is higher than average, yet it is not spread evenly, and most issues concentrate in specific places and situations. When you understand where problems tend to occur and which types of crime are most common, it becomes easier to make practical choices.

Whether you’re living in the city, renting, or just visiting, small steps—good habits, awareness, and basic home security—can make a real difference to how safe Peterborough feels day to day.

FAQs

What is the crime rate in Peterborough UK?

According to ONS’s latest crime report, Peterborough has an overall crime rate of approximately 105.9 offences per 1,000 people in 2025. While this is higher than the average for Cambridgeshire and the wider East of England, it is important to note that statistics vary significantly across the city. Most incidents are concentrated in the city centre, particularly involving shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Many residential suburbs remain very peaceful, so your experience will largely depend on which specific neighbourhood you choose.

Where to avoid in Peterborough?

While most of Peterborough is welcoming, locals often suggest being more cautious in the Central, North, and East wards, which typically see higher incident reports. Areas like Millfield, New England, and parts of Dogsthorpe are frequently cited as places to avoid late at night if you are unfamiliar with the city. These locations often struggle more with litter and anti-social behaviour compared to the quieter suburbs, so it is always worth visiting a street during different times of the day.

Is Peterborough, UK a nice place to live?

For many people, yes. Peterborough offers a mix of urban amenities, green spaces, and nearby villages, which appeals to families and commuters alike. Road connections are a plus too, with straightforward access to the A1(M) from several areas. That said, the experience can vary a lot by neighbourhood. Comparing local amenities, crime rates, schools, and commute times can help you decide if it suits your lifestyle.

What is the nicest area of Peterborough?

For many, Longthorpe is considered the “jewel” of the city, offering a quiet, village-like atmosphere with beautiful character homes. If you prefer modern living, Hampton (Vale and Hargate) is popular with families due to its lakeside walks, top-tier schools, and vibrant community feel. Other highly regarded spots include Orton Wistow for its proximity to Ferry Meadows, and Werrington Village, which retains a charming, historic appeal while providing excellent local amenities and a friendly neighbourhood vibe.