Oakenshaw Crime Rate

Oakenshaw currently maintains a safety score of 80/100, which is slightly above the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate in the village is 84.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it below the national average of 91.7. However, recent data shows an increasing trend, with a 7.1% rise in reported incidents over the past year. This uptick suggests that while Oakenshaw remains a relatively safe residential area, residents should be more aware of local activity than in previous years. Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, followed by a significant percentage of anti-social behaviour. Understanding these patterns is key for residents looking to maintain their safety and protect their property in this part of the Bradford local authority.

Oakenshaw's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 39.0% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also a significant factor, making up 22.1% of the total, followed by public order offences at 9.6%. These three categories represent the primary safety concerns for the local community.

Property crime in Oakenshaw, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and theft, occurs at a rate of 18.6 per 1,000 residents. This is well below the UK average of 32.3, suggesting that Oakenshaw is a relatively secure area for property owners. Vehicle crime is the most frequent property offence at 7.5 per 1,000, while burglary is lower at 5.0 per 1,000.

For residents, these statistics highlight that while property crime is lower than the national average, personal and social-related offences like anti-social behaviour are more common. This creates a need for both personal awareness in the community and sensible security measures for homes and vehicles, particularly given that vehicle crime is a top-four offence in the village.

The crime rate in Oakenshaw is currently on an upward trajectory, showing a 7.1% increase year-over-year. This trend is marked by several fluctuations throughout the 12-month period. December 2024 and October 2025 both saw peaks of 9.3 per 1,000 residents, representing the highest points of activity for the year.

The lowest rate was recorded in February 2025 at 3.7 per 1,000, but the rate quickly climbed back up and remained elevated for most of the year. The consistent levels between 6.2 and 9.3 from March through November suggest that the increase is sustained. This upward trend indicates that the area is experiencing a rise in activity that residents should be aware of. Staying informed about these monthly patterns can help the community anticipate and prepare for periods of higher risk, ensuring that the village maintains its generally high safety standards.

How To Keep Safe in Oakenshaw

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Oakenshaw, representing 39% of all reported incidents. Personal safety and situational awareness should be the top priority for residents.

1. Stay Aware in Public: When walking in the village, especially after dark, stay in well-lit areas and avoid distractions like mobile phones. Trust your instincts and move to a public place if you feel uncomfortable.
2. Secure Your Home: With burglary being a persistent threat, ensure all doors and windows are locked, even when you are at home. Consider upgrading to smart security for better perimeter control.
3. Vehicle Vigilance: Vehicle crime peaks at night. Always lock your car, remove all valuables, and park in a garage or under a motion-activated security light if possible.
4. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB making up 22% of local crime, reporting incidents to 101 helps the police identify patterns and deploy resources more effectively.
5. Community Connection: Join local neighbourhood watch or social media groups to stay informed about recent activity. A connected community is a safer community for everyone.

Crime in Oakenshaw follows distinct temporal patterns, with property crime being a major factor throughout the day and night. Burglary is particularly prevalent in the afternoon (12pm to 6pm), where it accounts for 43% of all incidents, likely targeting homes while residents are away.

As night falls, the risk to vehicles becomes the dominant concern. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime peaks at a significant 58% of all incidents, while burglary remains high at 29%. This indicates that Oakenshaw faces a continuous threat to property overnight. Theft-related crimes are most common in the morning (26%) and afternoon (30%). In the evening (6pm to midnight), both burglary (34%) and vehicle crime (33%) are prominent. For residents, this means that home security must be a priority during the day and evening, while vehicle protection is especially critical during the late-night and early-morning hours.

Oakenshaw sits in a varied local context. It is notably safer than nearby Cleckheaton, which has a much higher crime rate of 128.1 per 1,000. It is very similar in safety profile to Scholes (84.9) and slightly less secure than Gomersal and Birkenshaw (72.7). Compared to Norwood Green, which reports no crime, Oakenshaw is more active but remains a generally secure choice for residents. This comparison shows that while Oakenshaw is safer than the larger urban hubs in the area, it experiences more crime than the smallest rural villages. For those considering the region, Oakenshaw offers a typical suburban safety profile for the West Yorkshire area.

With an overall crime rate of 84.4 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 18.6, Oakenshaw residents face a tangible security challenge. Vehicle crime and burglary are persistent threats, and in an area with an increasing crime trend, reactive security like traditional CCTV is often insufficient. Recording a crime after it has happened does little to prevent the initial loss or the feeling of violation.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at your property's boundary. In Oakenshaw, where vehicle crime peaks at a significant 58% during the night and burglary accounts for 43% of afternoon crime, scOS’s ability to monitor your home's perimeter 24/7 is a game-changer. The system doesn't just record; it can autonomously intervene by activating lights and speakers to deter intruders before they even reach your door. For Oakenshaw homeowners, scOS provides the proactive protection needed to stop crimes before they start, offering a level of security that traditional systems simply cannot match.