Cherwell Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cherwell’s overall crime rate in February 2026 stood at 5.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 9.4% below the UK average of 6.4. This figure marks a continued trend of relative safety compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 37.5% of all reported incidents—368 cases in total. This category alone was 5% below the UK average (2.3 per 1,000), a statistic consistent with Cherwell’s character as a mixed-use district with a strong presence of public services and educational institutions. Property crimes, meanwhile, accounted for 40.5% of all reported incidents, with shoplifting (13.3%) and criminal damage (9.6%) standing out as significant contributors. February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may have influenced these patterns, with retail areas likely seeing reduced foot traffic that could have impacted shoplifting rates. However, the area’s relatively low burglary rate (0.3 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.2 per 1,000) suggests effective community policing or strong property security measures in residential zones. The seasonal context of February—typically marked by colder weather and shorter daylight hours—may have contributed to a shift in crime focus from outdoor to indoor spaces, though this remains a tentative observation requiring further analysis.

February 2026 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with some areas showing significant improvement and others requiring attention. Possession of weapons increased by 100%, rising from zero to 10 cases—a stark anomaly that may reflect changes in local enforcement or reporting practices. Other crime surged by 94.1%, with 33 reported incidents compared to 17 in January, indicating a growing need for targeted interventions in this broad category. Burglary also rose by 42.9%, from 35 to 50 cases, though this remains below the UK average (0.2 per 1,000). Conversely, drug-related offences fell by 27.3%, from 22 to 16 cases, a decline that may align with seasonal factors or community-led initiatives. Robbery and theft from the person both decreased, by 18.2% and 14.3% respectively, though these drops remain modest against a backdrop of rising shoplifting and public order offences. Shoplifting, which was 38% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), highlights a persistent challenge in retail areas, while anti-social behaviour—56% below the UK average—suggests effective community engagement strategies. These shifts underscore the combination of local dynamics and national trends, with Cherwell’s crime picture reflecting both progress and areas needing closer attention.

Cherwell’s crime rate in February 2026 rose slightly from 5.6 per 1,000 in January, marking a 2.3% increase. This modest uptick, however, still leaves the area significantly safer than the UK average. On a daily basis, Cherwell recorded an average of 35 crimes per day over the 28-day month, a figure that provides context for local residents assessing risk levels. When scaled to the population of 170,426, this translates to one reported crime for every 174 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable areas. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cherwell’s crime profile, while showing some increases, remains relatively low in absolute terms. For instance, the 1-in-174 monthly exposure rate is considerably better than the UK average, which, if extrapolated, would equate to a much higher frequency. This suggests that Cherwell’s community policing efforts and infrastructure may be contributing to sustained safety despite the slight upward trend. However, the rise in specific categories like burglary and other crime indicates that local challenges persist and warrant continued monitoring.