Oakworth Crime Rate

Oakworth currently maintains a safety score of 82/100, indicating it is significantly safer than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of 67.6 per 1,000 residents, the area remains a relatively secure village within the Bradford local authority. However, recent data reveals an increasing trend, with a 11.7% rise in reported incidents year-over-year. While Oakworth's crime rate is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.7, this recent uptick suggests a shift in the local environment that residents should be aware of. The following analysis explores the specific types of crime prevalent in the area and provides insights into when and where these incidents are most likely to occur.

In Oakworth, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 39.1% of all reported incidents. This is followed by burglary at 21.5% and anti-social behaviour at 10.2%. These three categories represent the most frequent challenges for local law enforcement.

Property crime in Oakworth, which encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a rate of 30.1 per 1,000 residents. While this is slightly below the UK average for property-related offences, the high percentage of burglary within the total crime mix is a specific point of concern for homeowners. This suggests that residential security remains a priority for the community to mitigate the risk of forced entry and opportunistic theft.

For residents, these statistics highlight a dual need for personal awareness in public spaces and robust physical security at home. The prevalence of burglary means that even in a relatively safe area, proactive measures are essential to protect property and maintain the high safety standards the village is known for.

The crime rate in Oakworth is currently on an upward trajectory, showing a 11.7% increase year-over-year. This trend is marked by several fluctuations throughout the 12-month period. December 2024 began with a rate of 5.4 per 1,000, which dipped to a yearly low of 3.1 in October 2025. However, a significant peak occurred in May 2025, where the rate surged to 9.2 per 1,000 people.

These spikes, particularly the high rate in May, suggest that crime in Oakworth can be seasonal or driven by specific short-term factors. The overall increase indicates that the area is experiencing a rise in criminal activity despite its historically high safety score. For residents, this means that security measures that were sufficient a year ago may need to be re-evaluated. Staying informed about these monthly patterns can help the community anticipate and prepare for periods of higher risk, ensuring that the village remains as safe as possible.

How To Keep Safe in Oakworth

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Oakworth, accounting for nearly 40% of all incidents. While many of these may occur in private settings, maintaining personal safety in public is always advisable.

1. Stay Aware in Public: When walking alone, especially after dark, stay in well-lit, busy areas and avoid using headphones, which can reduce your awareness of your surroundings.
2. Trust Your Instincts: If a situation or person makes you feel uncomfortable, move toward a public place like a shop or pub immediately.
3. Report Suspicious Activity: Use the 101 service to report any unusual behaviour or anti-social behaviour in the village, as this can help police prevent more serious incidents.
4. Home Security: Ensure your home is secure even when you are inside. Lock doors and windows, and consider installing a smart doorbell to vet visitors without opening the door.
5. Community Connection: Joining a local neighbourhood watch or community group can provide valuable information about recent incidents and foster a safer environment for everyone.

In Oakworth, crime patterns show a distinct correlation with the time of day and the nature of the offence. Burglary is remarkably prevalent during the afternoon hours (12pm to 6pm), where it constitutes 70% of all reported crimes in that period. This suggests that burglars are targeting residential properties when they are likely to be empty during the working day.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the focus shifts slightly. Between 6pm and midnight, burglary still leads at 55%, but vehicle crime begins to rise, reaching 20%. The late-night and early-morning period (12am to 6am) sees vehicle crime peak at 38% of all incidents. This indicates that while burglary remains a constant threat, vehicle-related offences are primarily a night-time issue. Residents should be particularly vigilant about securing their homes during the day and ensuring vehicles are safely garaged or protected by high-quality lighting and security systems overnight.

When compared to surrounding areas, Oakworth presents a favourable safety profile. It is significantly safer than Keighley, which experiences a much higher crime rate of 154.4 per 1,000 people. Oakworth is also more secure than Cullingworth (81.0) and Haworth (71.9). Its crime rate of 67.6 is most comparable to Oxenhope, which sits at 70.5 per 1,000. For those looking for a residential area near Bradford, Oakworth offers a more peaceful environment than the larger urban hubs, though the recent increase in crime mirrors broader regional patterns. Understanding these local variations helps residents and prospective movers contextualise Oakworth's standing within the West Yorkshire region.

With a property crime rate of 30.1 per 1,000 residents, Oakworth homeowners face a tangible risk, particularly from burglary, which accounts for over 20% of local crime. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, are often reactive, providing evidence only after a break-in has occurred. To truly secure a property in Oakworth, a shift toward proactive protection is necessary.

The scOS AI-powered home security system offers this proactive approach by detecting threats at the property boundary. Unlike standard cameras that simply record, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your home's perimeter simultaneously. It can distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine threats, only alerting you when it matters. Features like autonomous lighting activation and speaker engagement can destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area where burglary is a top-three crime, the ability to prevent an incident before it starts is the ultimate security advantage.