Cherwell Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 170,426 residents, Cherwell recorded 1,096 crimes in May 2024, translating to a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 people. This rate is 23.8% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, making up 39.5% of total crimes (433 incidents), followed by shoplifting (12.3%) and anti-social behaviour (9.2%). The seasonal context of May—characterised by bank holidays, extended evenings, and increased outdoor socialising—may partly explain the higher proportion of violent crimes, as well as the notable 12.3% share of shoplifting, which could be linked to retail activity during the month. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average by 59%, remained a persistent concern, tied to the area’s mix of residential and commercial zones. The data also highlights a stark contrast in crime patterns compared to the UK, with Cherwell’s violent crime rate 12% below the national average, while shoplifting exceeded the UK figure by 25%. This suggests a unique interplay of local factors, such as community policing efforts and the area’s demographic composition, which may contribute to the observed differences in crime types and rates.

Month-on-month analysis reveals contrasting trends: drug-related offences surged by 68.8% (from 16 to 27 incidents), and bicycle theft rose by 33.3% (from 9 to 12), potentially reflecting increased social activity during May’s extended evenings. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 38.1% (from 21 to 13), and burglary dropped by 36.6% (from 41 to 26), indicating possible improvements in security measures or reduced opportunities for property crime. Cherwell’s crime mix also diverges from the UK average in several categories: shoplifting is 25% higher than the national rate (0.6 vs 0.8 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour is 59% below (1.4 vs 0.6 per 1,000). These disparities may be influenced by Cherwell’s relatively low population density and the presence of community-focused initiatives that deter anti-social conduct. The rate of violence and sexual offences (2.5 per 1,000) is 12% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), a figure that could be attributed to local policing strategies or the area’s demographic profile, which may include a higher proportion of families and fewer high-risk populations compared to urban centres.

Cherwell’s crime rate in May 2024 (6.4 per 1,000) remained stable compared to April’s rate of 6.6 per 1,000, indicating no significant month-on-month fluctuation. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 35 crimes per day, a figure that, while locally specific, provides context for residents to gauge the pace of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 155 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. This statistic underscores Cherwell’s position as a relatively safe area, particularly when considering the population size. The 23.8% gap between Cherwell’s rate and the UK average highlights the impact of local factors, such as effective community engagement or environmental design, which may reduce opportunities for crime. For instance, the 59% reduction in anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average could be linked to Cherwell’s lower population density, which may foster stronger community ties and greater informal social control. These comparative figures suggest that while Cherwell is not immune to crime, its unique socio-environmental characteristics contribute to a crime profile that is significantly more favourable than the national norm.