Oakley (Basingstoke and Deane) Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Oakley (Basingstoke and Deane) maintained a crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 in December 2023, marking a sustained period of safety that is 63.9% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This low rate reflects a combination of local factors, including the area’s character as a built-up part of a larger commuter belt, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced incidents. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40% of all reported incidents, though this category remains 58% below the UK average. Shoplifting followed closely, making up 20% of total crimes, but the rate for this category was only 2% above the UK average, suggesting that local retail environments may have effective security measures in place. The seasonal context of December—characterised by dark evenings, holiday closures, and reduced foot traffic in some areas—may have influenced crime patterns, with certain categories like criminal damage and arson seeing rates 29% below the UK average. These figures suggest that while local conditions play a role in shaping crime trends, the overall safety profile of Oakley continues to diverge from national norms, likely supported by a mix of environmental, demographic, and seasonal factors.

December 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with shoplifting surging by 200% compared to November, rising from one to three incidents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, may reflect heightened retail activity during the Christmas shopping period, even as overall crime rates remain low. Public order offences also doubled, moving from zero to one incident, potentially linked to holiday-related disturbances or increased social gatherings. Vehicle crime rose by 100%, with two incidents reported, tied to seasonal changes in parking patterns or temporary increases in vehicle-related activity. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell sharply by two-thirds, dropping from three to one incident, which could indicate the impact of holiday closures reducing opportunities for such behaviour. The category of violence and sexual offences, while remaining the most common type, was still 58% below the UK average, suggesting that local initiatives or community dynamics may be effective in mitigating this type of crime. These shifts highlight how specific seasonal and situational factors can influence crime trends even within a generally safe area.

The crime rate in Oakley (Basingstoke and Deane) for December 2023 rose slightly from 2.5 per 1,000 in November, reflecting a 6.9% increase. However, this remains significantly lower than the UK average, with the area’s overall rate still 63.9% below the national figure. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of roughly 0 crimes per day over the 31-day period, illustrating the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, residents faced a 1-in-378 chance of experiencing a reported crime during December—a figure that underscores the relatively low risk compared to other parts of the UK. With a population of 5,676, the area’s small size and likely stable community structures may contribute to this low level of crime. The comparison to the UK average also highlights the effectiveness of local policing or community engagement efforts, which may be amplified in smaller, more cohesive neighbourhoods. These figures, when contextualised with the area’s demographics and geography, suggest that Oakley’s crime profile is shaped by a combination of environmental factors, population characteristics, and seasonal influences, all of which contribute to its consistently low crime rates.