Cherwell Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For Cherwell’s population of 170,426, the 1,096 crimes reported in May 2024 equate to a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents—23.8% below the UK average of 8.4. This rate, while lower than national benchmarks, reflects a complex mix of crime types shaped by local demographics and seasonal rhythms. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.5% of all reported crimes, making them the most prevalent category. This dominance may be partly explained by the area’s character as a mix of urban and rural environments, where high streets and community hubs could contribute to higher concentrations of interpersonal crime. Shoplifting (12.3% of total) and anti-social behaviour (9.2%) followed as the next most common categories, though shoplifting’s rate was 25% above the UK average, linked to the presence of retail centres or high footfall areas. May’s seasonal context—bank holidays and extended evenings—likely influenced crime patterns, with increased outdoor drinking and socialising contributing to both violence and anti-social behaviour. Conversely, categories like anti-social behaviour and burglary were significantly below UK averages, suggesting Cherwell’s local governance or community initiatives may be effective in mitigating certain types of crime. The overall stability in the crime rate compared to the previous month (6.6 per 1,000) indicates no major spikes, though the persistent high volume of violent crime warrants ongoing scrutiny. These figures illustrate a crime profile that is both reflective of broader national trends and distinct in its local manifestations.

May 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with drug-related incidents rising sharply by 68.8% compared to the previous month, increasing from 16 to 27 reports. This surge aligns with seasonal factors, as longer evenings and bank holidays may have facilitated increased socialising and associated risks. Bicycle theft also rose by 33.3%, potentially linked to warmer weather encouraging cycling and outdoor activities. Conversely, burglary and theft from the person both declined—burglary dropped 36.6% (41 to 26) and theft from the person fell 38.1% (21 to 13), reflecting heightened community awareness or improved security measures. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category (39.5% of total crimes), but this rate was 12% below the UK average, suggesting Cherwell’s local dynamics may mitigate certain violent crime trends despite the high volume. The sharp contrast between shoplifting’s 25% UK average excess and anti-social behaviour’s 59% deficit further highlights the area’s unique crime profile.

In May 2024, Cherwell’s crime rate remained stable compared to the previous month, declining slightly by 2.0% from 6.6 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This continuity suggests no abrupt shifts in crime patterns, though the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 35 crimes per day, a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualised by Cherwell’s population of 170,426. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 155 residents—a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relative safety of the area compared to national benchmarks. When scaled to population size, this translates to a crime environment where most residents are unlikely to encounter direct victimisation, though the concentration of violent crimes (39.5% of total) deserves closer attention to local policing strategies. The stable trend contrasts with seasonal fluctuations, such as those seen in other months where holiday periods or weather changes drive spikes in specific crime types.