Cherwell Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2025, Cherwell maintained a crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents, 18.6% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This figure positions the area as one of the safer local authority districts in England, though the distribution of crime types reveals a nuanced picture. Violence and sexual offences constituted the largest single category, accounting for 38.5% of all crimes, with 377 incidents recorded. This rate—2.2 per 1,000 residents—was 14% below the UK average for this category, suggesting a relatively lower incidence of severe personal crimes. Property crimes, however, formed a significant portion of the total, with shoplifting (165 incidents) and other theft (85 incidents) contributing 16.9% and 8.7% respectively. Shoplifting, in particular, stood out as 75% above the UK average for this category, a disparity likely linked to the festive shopping season and the area's retail presence. Other theft, meanwhile, remained close to the UK average, indicating a balanced approach to property crime prevention. The seasonal context of December—characterised by extended evenings, holiday-related activity, and empty homes—may have influenced both the types and frequency of reported crimes. For instance, the 25.5% increase in criminal damage and arson could reflect the challenges of managing properties during the festive period, while the sharp drop in anti-social behaviour (68% below the UK average) may point to effective community engagement or enforcement during the month. Overall, Cherwell's crime profile reflects a combination of local characteristics and broader national trends, with property crimes slightly outnumbering violent crimes, yet both remaining below the UK averages for their respective categories.

December 2025 saw a notable 48.6% increase in shoplifting, with 165 incidents reported—75% above the UK average for this category. This spike aligns with the Christmas shopping peak, where retail environments become more vulnerable to theft. Conversely, burglary fell by 50% compared to November, with 27 incidents recorded, a stark contrast to the previous month's 54. The drop in drug-related crimes (−44.4%) and possession of weapons (−76.9%) suggests potential seasonal factors, such as reduced social gatherings or enforcement efforts. Meanwhile, 'other crime' surged by 163.6%, from 11 to 29 incidents, indicating a shift in the nature of reported offences. This category's rise, though not explicitly defined in the data, may reflect underreported or emerging issues requiring further analysis. The balance between property and violent crimes remains relatively stable, with property crimes (418) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (377), a dynamic that may reflect Cherwell's character as a mixed urban-rural area with diverse economic and social activity.

Cherwell's December 2025 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 2.0% decline from November's 5.9 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent trend in crime reduction. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 32 crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the seasonal context of December, where extended evenings and holiday-related activity may influence patterns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 174 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised against the local population of 170,426, suggests that residents face a lower risk of encountering crime than the national average. The decline in burglary and drug-related offences, coupled with a sharp drop in weapons possession, may indicate the effectiveness of targeted interventions or seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during colder months. However, the increase in shoplifting and other crimes highlights areas requiring further attention.