Cherwell Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2025, Cherwell recorded 999 crimes across its population of 170,426, translating to a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents—27.2% below the UK average of 8.1. This figure places Cherwell in a safer position nationally. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.4% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (13.9%) and public order offences (8.8%). These top categories suggest a focus on interpersonal and retail-related crime, likely influenced by Cherwell’s character as a mixed urban-rural area with a strong presence of educational institutions and retail hubs. The seasonal context of May, with its bank holidays and extended evenings, may contribute to increased socialising and associated risks, particularly in public spaces. For instance, the relatively high proportion of public order offences could reflect heightened outdoor activity during this time of year. Conversely, categories like anti-social behaviour (65% below the UK average) and vehicle crime (50% below) indicate areas where Cherwell’s community and infrastructure may be effective in mitigating certain types of crime. These trends highlight the interplay between local geography, population dynamics, and seasonal factors in shaping the crime profile. The 5.9 rate, while lower than the national average, underscores the importance of maintaining targeted interventions to address persistent issues like violence and retail theft while building on successes in reducing other categories.

May 2025 saw a 100% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 5 to 10 incidents, a sharp contrast to the 30.6% decline in burglary (36 to 25). This shift may reflect seasonal patterns, as longer evenings and bank holidays in May could contribute to increased outdoor activity and associated risks. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, accounting for 41.4% of all reported incidents—15% below the UK average for this category. Conversely, shoplifting rose 11.5% (157 to 139), placing it 19% above the UK average, suggesting potential pressures on retail environments during the month. Other theft increased by 30.6%, indicating a possible trend in property-related crimes. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns and the need for targeted responses to specific categories.

Cherwell's crime rate in May 2025 rose 3.0% from 5.7 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents compared to the previous month, reflecting a slight upward trend. This equates to roughly 32 crimes reported each day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a localised timeframe. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 171 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure risk for Cherwell’s population. When scaled to the area’s population of 170,426, this rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, which stood at 8.1 per 1,000. The disparity underscores Cherwell’s relatively safer profile compared to the national context, though the 3% increase from April suggests a need for continued monitoring. The daily crime count, while consistent with previous months, highlights the frequency of incidents in a community where crime remains a concern but not a dominant factor in daily life.