Bicester Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 38,656 residents, 252 crimes reported in October 2023 equates to 6.5 crimes per 1,000 people — 18.8% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This rate places Bicester among the safer built-up areas in the country, though the crime profile reflects local patterns. Shoplifting dominates the crime profile, accounting for 31.8% of all incidents (80 cases), far exceeding the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 (262% above). Violent crimes, including assaults and sexual offences, make up 28.6% of the total (72 cases), slightly below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 (30% below). The seasonal context of October — darker evenings, the clocks going back, and Halloween — may partly explain the spike in shoplifting, as retail areas see increased foot traffic and potential opportunities for theft. The area’s character as a mixed urban-rural commuter hub likely contributes to the balance between property crimes (145 cases, 57.5% of total) and violent incidents, with retail centres and public spaces serving as focal points for criminal activity. While the overall rate is low, the sharp rise in shoplifting highlights the need for targeted measures in high-traffic areas during transitional months.

October 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Shoplifting surged by 45.5% compared to September, jumping from 55 to 80 incidents — the most notable increase. This rise, though not unusual for the month, aligns with seasonal factors such as Halloween and the start of the festive shopping period, which may drive retail crime. Theft from the person also doubled, with three reported cases (up from zero), though this remains a small proportion of total crimes. Conversely, public order offences fell by 59.3% (27 to 11), likely reflecting quieter evenings as the clocks went back and Halloween activities shifted indoors. Burglary and drugs-related crimes both declined by over 50%, suggesting possible improvements in targeted policing or community engagement in those areas. Bicester’s shoplifting rate is 262% above the UK average, a stark contrast to its performance in violence (30% below UK average) and anti-social behaviour (61% below). These disparities highlight the town’s unique challenges in retail crime prevention, despite overall safety metrics being favourable compared to national benchmarks.

Bicester’s crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 in October 2023 represents a slight 3.1% decrease from September’s 6.7 per 1,000, indicating a marginal improvement in overall safety. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 8 crimes per day — a figure that, while consistent with recent months, remains lower than the UK average when scaled to Bicester’s population. Over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 153 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable areas. This statistic, when contextualised against Bicester’s population of 38,656, illustrates the relatively low risk residents face compared to both national averages and other built-up areas. The slight monthly decline in crime, coupled with the town’s consistently below-average rates for violent crimes and anti-social behaviour, suggests that local initiatives or environmental factors may be contributing to sustained safety. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting underscores the need for continued vigilance in retail zones, where the town’s crime profile diverges significantly from the UK average.