Cherwell Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cherwell’s crime rate in May 2025 stood at 5.9 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 8.1. This figure represents a 27.2% reduction, highlighting the district’s relatively safe environment despite a 3.0% monthly increase from April. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.4% of all incidents, with rates 15% below the UK average. This suggests a focus on violent crime as a priority area, though the overall profile remains balanced by lower rates of property-related offences. Shoplifting, the second most frequent category, saw an 11.5% decline compared to April, yet it remained 19% above the national average, indicating a persistent challenge in retail spaces. The seasonal context of May—marked by longer evenings and bank holidays—likely influenced patterns such as the 100% increase in bicycle theft, which may be tied to increased outdoor activity and socialising. Public order offences, including anti-social behaviour, were 65% below the UK average, reflecting effective community policing or strong social cohesion in areas with high foot traffic. These trends are consistent with Cherwell’s character as a district blending historic market towns with rural landscapes, where low population density and community engagement may contribute to lower rates of certain crimes.

May 2025 saw a 100% increase in bicycle theft, with incidents rising from 5 to 10. This surge aligns with seasonal trends, as longer evenings and outdoor socialising may have increased opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, burglary fell by 30.6%, from 36 to 25, a decline that could reflect improved security measures in residential areas. Shoplifting also decreased by 11.5%, from 157 to 139, though it remained 19% above the UK average—a contrast to Cherwell’s overall lower crime rate. Violent crime accounted for 41.4% of all incidents, with rates 15% below the UK average. This mix suggests that while violent crime remains a focus, the area’s broader crime profile is influenced by factors such as its mix of urban and rural spaces, which may temper property crime rates but not violent crime. Theft from the person rose by 75%, from 4 to 7, a spike that may reflect increased foot traffic in town centres during May bank holidays. The decline in anti-social behaviour, which sits 65% below the UK average, indicates that community policing or local initiatives may be effectively addressing disorderly conduct.

Cherwell’s crime rate in May 2025 rose slightly to 5.9 per 1,000 residents from 5.7 in April, marking a 3.0% increase. This translates to an average of 32 crimes reported daily, a figure that remains lower than the UK average of 8.1. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 171 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores Cherwell’s relatively safe environment despite the slight uptick. When contextualised against the area’s population of 170,426, this suggests that the crime burden is distributed across a large and diverse demographic. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cherwell’s crime profile is shaped by its mix of urban and rural areas, which may contribute to lower burglary rates but higher incidents of public order offences linked to socialising patterns. The area’s lower rates of anti-social behaviour, in particular, suggest strong community engagement or effective local policing strategies that mitigate conflict in public spaces. These patterns align with Cherwell’s character as a district with a blend of historic market towns and sprawling rural landscapes, where community cohesion and low population density may naturally suppress certain types of crime.