People living in or moving to the city of Peterborough pay much attention to the Peterborough crime rate. It's necessary, as without knowing the risk factors and crime ratio, one can’t make decisions about living in an area and take precautions. This guide will break down the most recent data for the crime rate Peterborough and compare it regionally and nationally. It names the safest and most dangerous areas, and gives practical advice for residents and newcomers who ask: Is Peterborough safe?
The Latest Peterborough Crime Statistics (2024-2025)
Peterborough continues to have a relatively high crime rate, as reported in various statistics. The annual total crime rate is 128 crimes per 1,000 resident population in the local authority district, from September 2024 to August 2025.
Another dataset covering the postcode area reports 102.9 crimes per 1,000 people, where violent crime accounted for 38.2 % of all crimes and rose by 3.5 % year-on-year.
According to the Crime Rate, Peterborough’s overall crime rate stands at about 100 crimes per 1,000 people, which is significantly above the Cambridgeshire average of 62 per 1,000.
Breakdown by Crime Type
Here is a little breakdown of the crime rate per 1,000 residents for different types of crimes in Peterborough according to Crystalroof:
- Around 48 crimes are violent and sexual offences in the local authority district.
- Around 22.5 cases are of anti-social behaviour
- Criminal damage and arson covers Approx. 9.99
- Shoplifting incidents roughly cover 10.4
- Possession of weapons covers approximately 1.9, rated high compared to other areas.
- By recent postcode-area data:
- Anti-social behaviour 18.1% of all crimes, which increased 13.7% year-on-year.
- The possession of weapons rate is 1.2 per 1,000, 128% of the national average.
These figures indicate the crime and security challenges for Peterborough. The volume of crime is higher than in many areas, and the mentioned categories are especially notable.
Peterborough Crime Rate in Regional and National Context
Crime rate Peterborough is an important topic to discuss for the residents there. Here is its comparison in the regional and national context for better understanding.
- Cambridgeshire is a wider region with an overall crime rate reported at 62 crimes per 1,000 in recent data.
- Peterborough’s rate of 128 per 1,000 thus lies more than double the regional figure in some metrics.
- The average crime rates in England, Wales & Northern Ireland are lower at the national level. Peterborough postcode area's violent crime rate is 111% of the national violent crime average.
- Peterborough is among the top 10 most dangerous areas in Cambridgeshire for overall crime in the local authority ranking.
Many cities in Cambridgeshire have areas of higher crime. The Peterborough crime rate is notably higher than both its regional and national averages that requires extra caution if you are evaluating safety in the city. Installing outdoor security cameras or a complete security system of eufy NVR CCTV System S4 Max works best for residents of larger properties who demand multi-zone coverage. The system gives full recording and monitoring capacity across all zones from the entrance and driveway to the backyard.
What’s Driving Crime Trends in Peterborough?
What factors are behind the elevated and persistent crime rate in Peterborough? Several drivers stand out:
1. High Levels of Violent & Sexual Offences
Data show that violence and sexual offences are among the most common crimes in Peterborough. For example, one dataset reports about 46 offences per 1,000 people for that category. This prevalence shifts the city’s overall crime profile toward more serious personal-offence types rather than primarily property crime.
2. Property Crime & Urban Exposure
While some property crime forms (e.g., vehicle crime) are lower than the national average, broader “all-crime” rates remain elevated. Urban zones such as shopping areas and transport hubs in Peterborough appear correlated with higher incident rates, according to Police UK
3. Socio-economic & Structural Factors
Peterborough’s crime rate is reported to be significantly higher than regional and national averages, suggesting that socio-economic pressures, housing density, and daytime-population shifts may play a role. Crime Rate
4. Concentration in Specific Wards and Locations
Crime is not evenly spread across the district: some wards report markedly higher incident rates than others. For instance, central and busy retail zones show elevated figures compared to quieter residential wards according to Peterborough Telegraph
5. Policing, Reporting & Enforcement Activity
Trends also reflect changes in enforcement, reporting and resource allocation—for example, shifts in how crimes are recorded or responded to by law enforcement can affect observed patterns.
Understanding these drivers allows residents to better assess which risks are most relevant (for example, violence vs theft) and where they can take action to reduce exposure.
Precautionary measures are important to stop intruders from coming to your home. The eufycam S4 helps with front-door monitoring or visitor control. It provides remote notification and video verification to keep checking who wants to enter your property, even when you’re not at home. It also lessens the chances of false alarms with its Radar and PIR dual motion detection.
Safest Areas in Peterborough
The overall crime rate in Peterborough is higher. Peterborough has neighbourhoods and wards with lower than average crime. These areas may appeal to those asking, 'Is Peterborough safe?' for living in a specific location of the city.
The local press data for December 2023 to November 2024 shows the crime rate in the following safe areas:
- Barnack has 38.3 crimes per thousand residents (the lowest rate in the city).
- Wittering has 47.2 crimes per thousand
- Glinton and Casto have 58.7 per thousand.
These areas are suburban or rural in character but experience fewer incidents. For someone prioritising lower crime levels, these zones may be more attractive when considering “is Peterborough safe” at a local level.
Top Dangerous Areas in Peterborough
Conversely, some areas within Peterborough show much higher rates of crime and thus warrant increased caution based on Crystal Roof.
- Central Ward: Highest crime rate, around 380 crimes per 1,000 residents.
- North Ward: Roughly 170 crimes per 1,000 residents.
- East Ward: Around 163 crimes per 1,000 residents.
- Ravensthorpe Ward: About 160 crimes per 1,000 residents.
These hotspots tend to correlate with high foot traffic, dense housing, and mixed commercial–nightlife presence. If you’re concerned about safety, being aware of these zones can help inform residential decision-making or travel routines.
How to Stay Safer in Peterborough
Living in Peterborough or any city with above average crime doesn’t mean you’re unsafe. Many people live well and feel secure. But you must be proactive. Here are practical steps:
- Security is as important inside your home as outside. Consider indoor security camerasfor monitoring access, or if you rent a flat with multiple occupants. They are also helpful for shared homes or if you’re away often.
- For ground-floor flats or shared entrances, an indoor unit such aseufy Indoor Cam S350 allows audio/video monitoring of communal access areas, helpful for reducing opportunistic theft or anti-social behaviour.
- Next, keep your home monitored and secure by using outdoor security cameras. Make them position to cover entry points and external surroundings, where they can act as a deterrent and provide evidence if needed.
- A smart door-entry device likeeufy Video Doorbell E340, with its 2K clarity and dual-camera design, adds clear visibility of who is at your property, especially valuable in higher-risk wards or for those living alone.
Other general safety tips:
- Avoid walking alone late at night in high-crime wards.
- Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles and at home.
- Use well-lit routes, know local crime hotspot zones and check neighbourhood crime maps (via sources like UK Police).
- Stay informed of local alerts and policing activity (anti-social behaviour or weapon-possession incidents).
- If you rent, ask the landlord about building access security, locks, and communal CCTV.
Conclusion
The Peterborough crime rate remains elevated when compared with regional and national averages. While that might lead you to ask “Is Peterborough safe?”, the answer is nuanced: yes, you can live safely in Peterborough—with awareness, smart choices and by selecting your area carefully. The data shows clear variation between neighbourhoods. If you keep tracking crime trends and use good home security systems and safety tips, you keep yourself and your home safer in 2025.
FAQs
Where to avoid in Peterborough?
Areas with the highest crime rates include Central Ward (≈380 crimes per 1,000 residents), North Ward (≈170), East Ward (≈163), and Ravensthorpe Ward (≈160). These zones experience more incidents due to dense housing, nightlife, and busy commercial activity. Residents and visitors should stay alert in these areas, especially after dark or in crowded public places.
Which crimes are most common in Peterborough?
The most frequent offences are violent and sexual crimes, accounting for about 48 per 1,000 residents and over a third of all recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, alongside criminal damage, arson, and shoplifting. Possession of weapons, though lower in volume, is notably above the national average, reflecting a broader safety concern across urban districts.
Is Peterborough a safe place to live in 2025?
Peterborough’s overall crime rate,around 128 crimes per 1,000 residents, is significantly higher than regional and national averages. However, safety varies by neighbourhood. Areas such as Barnack, Wittering, and Glinton & Castor report much lower crime levels, making them safer choices. With awareness, preventive habits, and home security systems like the eufy S4 Max, residents can still maintain a secure lifestyle.
