Bicester Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of nearly 39,000 residents, 222 crimes reported in October 2024 translate to a crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 people—29.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This places Bicester among the safer built-up areas in the country. Shoplifting (30.6% of total crimes) dominates the crime picture, with 68 incidents recorded, far exceeding the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This may be linked to Bicester’s retail presence, including its historic High Street and proximity to Oxford, which could attract opportunistic offenders. Violence and sexual offences (64 incidents, 28.8% of total) remain 36% below the UK average, reflecting the area’s demographic makeup or effective community engagement efforts. Anti-social behaviour (19 incidents) and public order offences (15) also fall significantly below national averages, suggesting lower levels of disorder compared to other urban centres. Seasonal factors in October—such as darker evenings and Halloween—may have influenced patterns, with shoplifting and bicycle theft rising sharply. However, the overall rate remains relatively low, indicating that local policing strategies or community cohesion may play a role in maintaining safety levels.

October 2024 saw sharp increases in theft from the person (+300%) and bicycle theft (+250%), with the latter rising from 2 to 7 incidents. These spikes may partly reflect Halloween-related activity or increased cycling during darker evenings. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 67.9% (from 28 to 9), likely linked to fewer vehicles on the road during October school holidays or seasonal changes in commuting patterns. Robbery also dropped by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), though this decrease may be influenced by temporary factors rather than long-term trends. Shoplifting in Bicester remains 150% above the UK average (1.8 vs 0.7 per 1,000), suggesting a unique challenge for local retailers. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences—accounting for 28.8% of total crimes—sit 36% below the UK average, reflecting the area’s demographic profile or effective community policing strategies.

Bicester’s October 2024 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 13.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.7, reflecting a downward trend in reported crimes. Over the 31 days of October, this translates to roughly 7 crimes per day, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the local crime frequency. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 174 residents, illustrating the scale of incidents in a community of nearly 39,000 people. This rate remains significantly below the UK average, highlighting Bicester’s relative safety compared to the national context. The population-scaled perspective further underscores that the crime rate, while not negligible, is proportionally lower than in many other areas, suggesting effective local policing or community-focused initiatives that may contribute to this trend. However, the variation in specific crime types—such as shoplifting and bicycle theft—indicates that targeted interventions could still play a role in addressing certain vulnerabilities.