Oakdale Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Oakdale's crime rate in November 2023 stood at 3.9 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 48.0% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This marked a continuation of the area's consistently lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.9% of all reported incidents (9 cases), followed by other theft (9.5%) and vehicle crime (9.5%). This distribution reflects patterns typical of built-up areas with mixed land use, where interpersonal disputes and petty theft are more common than property-related crimes. Seasonal factors may have influenced this distribution, as November's shortening daylight hours and the timing of Bonfire Night could have contributed to increased tensions in public spaces. Conversely, the relatively low rate of anti-social behaviour (9.5%) compared to the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000 suggests community cohesion efforts may be effective in this area. The absence of significant spikes in burglary or theft from the person aligns with Oakdale's character as a residential and commercial hub rather than a major tourist destination. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the interplay between local demographics and seasonal events will continue to shape the area's crime profile in the coming months.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 30.8% from 13 to 9 cases. This decline, though modest, contrasts with the 100% increase in three categories: other theft, criminal damage and arson, and burglary. The surge in other theft may be linked to Black Friday shopping activity, though the exact timing of retail promotions in Oakdale remains unclear. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 60.0% (from 5 to 2 cases), a drop that may reflect the impact of local initiatives targeting nuisance behaviour. The most striking UK comparison figure is for other crime, which in Oakdale was 208% above the national average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly requires careful interpretation, as the category's definition may include rare or specialist offences not typically reported elsewhere. Residents may find the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly concerning, as this suggests potential issues with vandalism or arson linked to seasonal events like Bonfire Night. The sharp contrast between the 100% rises in property-related crimes and the 83.3% drop in public order offences highlights the complex dynamics influencing local crime patterns.

Oakdale's November 2023 crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 represents a 19.3% decrease from the previous month's 4.8 per 1,000, indicating a continuing downward trend. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 1 crime reported per day across the built-up area's population of 5,378 residents. Over the course of the month, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 256 residents, a figure that places Oakdale in stark contrast to areas with higher population densities and more complex urban environments. When compared to the UK average, this rate is exceptionally low, with Oakdale's residents facing less than half the risk of experiencing crime compared to the national average. The most significant shift from October to November was the 30.8% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which may be attributed to the transition from the university term period to school holidays, a factor that often reduces incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence in similar areas. Conversely, the 100% increase in other theft could reflect heightened retail activity during the Black Friday shopping period, though local retailers have not reported unusual patterns in foot traffic or sales. These comparative figures underscore Oakdale's unique position within the UK's broader crime profile, where its built-up character and relatively small population size contribute to its distinct security profile.