Upper Heyford Crime Rate

Upper Heyford presents as a notably safe urban settlement, with an overall crime rate of 41.2 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, contributing to an impressive safety score of 89/100. While the area maintains a high standard of safety, recent data indicates a 26.4% increase in year-over-year crime, suggesting a shift in the local trend. Despite this rise, the property crime rate remains low at 8.8 per 1,000, well below the national average of 32.2. This context provides a reassuring baseline for residents, though the recent upward trend warrants a closer look at local crime patterns and prevention strategies.

In Upper Heyford, the criminal landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 115 incidents, or 55.8% of all recorded crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.6% and other theft at 7.3%. For residents, understanding the property crime profile is essential; the combined rate for burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts stands at 8.8 per 1,000 people. While this is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2, the 8 recorded burglaries and 8 vehicle crimes indicate that opportunism remains a factor. Homeowners should remain vigilant, as these figures suggest that while the area is generally very safe, property-specific offences still occur and require proactive management.

Upper Heyford experienced a notable 26.4% increase in crime over the last 12 months. Analyzing the monthly data for 2025 reveals a significant spike during the summer months; the crime rate jumped from 3.0 in May to 5.0 in June, reaching a peak of 6.0 in July. This summer surge was followed by a gradual decline, with the rate dropping to a yearly low of 1.8 in November. The year ended with a slight uptick to 2.4 in December. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is upward, the increase was heavily influenced by a specific period of high activity in mid-2025. For residents, this indicates that vigilance should be particularly high during the summer months.

How To Keep Safe in Upper Heyford

The most prevalent crime type in Upper Heyford is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over half of all recorded incidents. While many of these cases involve people known to each other, maintaining personal safety in public spaces is always advisable.

1. Stay Aware in Public: When walking alone, especially after dark, keep your phone and valuables out of sight and stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid using headphones, which can reduce your situational awareness.
2. Utilise Personal Safety Apps: Consider using safety apps that allow you to share your live location with trusted friends or family members when travelling through the area at night.
3. Stick to Well-Lit Routes: Upper Heyford's residential streets are generally safe, but sticking to well-lit, main thoroughfares rather than secluded shortcuts can further reduce risk.
4. Report Suspicious Behaviour: If you notice unusual activity or individuals loitering in residential areas, report it to the local police. Early reporting can prevent anti-social behaviour from escalating.
5. Secure Your Perimeter: To deter various types of opportunistic crime, ensure your home's exterior is well-maintained and adequately lit, providing fewer places for individuals to linger unobserved.

Crime in Upper Heyford follows distinct temporal patterns. The morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for over 50% of the activity during these periods. This likely coincides with peak transit and commercial activity. As the day progresses into the evening, 'other' crime types and burglary become more prevalent. The night-time hours (12am - 6am) see a significant spike in vehicle crime, which accounts for 42% of offences during this window. This suggests that while daytime crime is more focused on opportunistic theft, night-time activity is directed toward parked vehicles and property when visibility is low and residents are likely asleep.

When comparing Upper Heyford to its immediate neighbours, it stands out as the most active area for recorded crime. Nearby settlements such as Fritwell, Ardley and Fewcott, Lower Heyford, and Steeple Aston all recorded a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people during the same period. While Upper Heyford's rate of 41.2 is still very low by national standards, it is significantly higher than these surrounding rural villages. This contrast suggests that Upper Heyford, as a larger built-up area, experiences the typical urban pressures that its smaller neighbours do not, making local security awareness more pertinent here than in the immediate surrounding countryside.

With a property crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents, Upper Heyford homeowners enjoy a level of security far above the UK average. However, the 26.4% increase in local crime highlights the importance of not becoming complacent. Traditional security measures, like standard CCTV or basic alarms, are often reactive—they provide evidence after a crime has already been committed. For true peace of mind, proactive protection is superior. The scOS AI-powered operating system represents this shift, moving from recording a burglary to preventing it. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries, scOS can identify suspicious patterns and deploy autonomous responses like lighting or audio challenges before a break-in occurs. In an area like Upper Heyford, where crime is relatively rare but increasing, the visible presence of a professional, AI-driven security system serves as a powerful deterrent, encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on to easier targets.