Cherwell Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cherwell's December 2025 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents places it 18.6% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, a consistent trend that reflects a lower-than-national crime profile. The breakdown of crimes reveals a near-even split between property and violent crime, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 38.5% of all incidents (377 cases) and shoplifting contributing 16.9% (165 cases). This distribution suggests that both residential and commercial areas may be equally affected, though the prominence of shoplifting—75% above the UK average—points to specific vulnerabilities in retail environments. Seasonal factors in December, including the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings, likely contribute to this pattern, as heightened consumer activity in high-street areas may create opportunities for theft. Meanwhile, the relatively low rate of violent crime (2.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 indicates that Cherwell may have a safer public space profile, though the 14% deficit is modest. The presence of other theft (8.7%) and public order offences (6.7%) further illustrates a crime picture shaped by both commercial and community dynamics. These trends, when considered alongside the area's likely mix of urban and suburban characteristics, suggest that local policing efforts and community initiatives may be playing a role in maintaining this lower crime rate.

December 2025 saw a 48.6% increase in shoplifting, rising from 111 to 165 incidents, a sharp contrast to the 16.9% share of total crimes it accounted for. This spike aligns with the seasonal context of Christmas shopping, where high foot traffic in retail areas may create opportunities for theft. Meanwhile, other crime increased by 163.6%, jumping from 11 to 29 incidents, though this category remains a minor contributor to the overall rate. Conversely, burglary fell by 50.0%, with reported cases dropping from 54 to 27, suggesting potential improvements in property security measures or police activity. The balance between property and violent crime remains close, with property crimes (418) slightly outpacing violent crimes (377), a pattern that may reflect the area's mix of urban and suburban environments where both retail and residential areas coexist. Shoplifting's 75% above the UK average rate of 0.6 per 1,000 highlights a localised challenge, linked to the presence of major shopping centres or high-street retail hubs in Cherwell.

Cherwell's December 2025 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents represents a 2.0% decrease from the previous month's 5.9 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. This rate places the area 18.6% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, underscoring a consistently lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks. Daily crime statistics show an average of 32 reported incidents per day in December, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 174 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the population. While this statistic does not account for variations in reporting or policing, it provides a tangible measure of how often residents may encounter crime. The population of 170,426 means that the total number of crimes, though relatively low, is spread across a substantial community, suggesting that localised hotspots may exist without driving overall rates significantly higher. This context is critical for understanding how crime impacts individual neighbourhoods within Cherwell.