Olney Crime Rate

Olney is an exceptionally safe and desirable market town, boasting a high safety score of 89/100, which is far above the UK average of 79/100. The overall crime rate in the area is 44.0 per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 91.6. Recent data indicates a stable trend, with a -2.4% change year-over-year. Property crime is particularly low here, at just 15.8 per 1,000 residents, which is less than half the national average. While violence and sexual offences are the most common category, the actual number of incidents is extremely small. The following analysis provides a deeper look into the local crime breakdown, timing of incidents, and how Olney compares to surrounding areas.

Crime Breakdown in Olney

Olney's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 45.6% of all recorded incidents (147 crimes). Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour follow at 10.6% and 9.6% respectively. These figures indicate that personal safety and retail-related crime are the primary areas of concern in this high-safety market town.

Property-related crime in Olney is low, occurring at a rate of 15.8 per 1,000 people—less than half the UK average of 32.2. This includes 34 incidents of shoplifting (10.6%), 22 cases of other theft (6.8%), and 21 burglaries (6.5%). Vehicle crime accounts for 4.7% of total crime, while criminal damage and arson represents 5.0%. For homeowners, these statistics are very positive, suggesting a lower risk of property intrusion than in many other urban settlements. However, the presence of significant shoplifting and burglary suggests that visible security measures are still beneficial. Maintaining high standards of domestic security remains a wise investment to protect against opportunistic offenders in this otherwise high-safety town.

Crime Trends in Olney

Olney has experienced a stable trend in crime over the last year, with a minor -2.4% decrease in overall offences. This indicates that the town has successfully maintained its exceptionally secure environment. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate was extremely low throughout the year, fluctuating between 2.3 and 4.5 per 1,000 people.

The highest rate was recorded in July (4.5) and October (4.4). These minor fluctuations are small variations in an otherwise very low-crime year. Despite these fluctuations, the town has avoided any major escalation in criminal activity. For residents, this stable trend provides reassurance that Olney remains one of the safest and most secure places to live in the entire region, with a predictable and exceptionally well-managed safety profile. The year ended on a positive note, with the crime rate decreasing to 2.7 in December.

How To Keep Safe in Olney

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Olney, representing 45.6% of all recorded incidents. While the town is exceptionally safe, maintaining personal awareness is key to staying secure.

When walking through the town centre or near local paths, stay alert and stick to well-lit areas, especially after dark. Even in low-crime areas, it is always a good idea to let someone know your plans and expected return time when walking alone.

For property safety, given that burglary is most frequent at night and in the evening, ensure your home is fully secured before going to bed. Double-check that all ground-floor windows and doors are locked. If you have a vehicle, always park it in a well-lit area and never leave any items on display. Installing motion-sensor security lights around your driveway and front door is a simple but effective way to deter unwanted visitors. By staying aware and taking these basic precautions, you can help maintain the exceptionally high level of safety that Olney is known for.

Crime Patterns in Olney

Criminal activity in Olney follows a clear daily pattern, with distinct risks at different times. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) and morning (6am - 12pm) are the most active periods for theft-related crimes, accounting for 49% of incidents in both periods. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most prevalent during standard business and working hours.

The risk of burglary is particularly high during the afternoon and night, with the percentage of crimes classified as burglary increasing to 26% and 32% respectively. Vehicle crime also peaks significantly during the night-time hours (12am - 6am), accounting for 31% of all offences in that period. In contrast, the evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a rise in 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 37% of reports. For residents, this data indicates that while the town is very safe overall, property and vehicle security should be a primary focus during the overnight hours and when the house is empty during the day.

Olney is located in a cluster of exceptionally safe residential and rural areas north of Milton Keynes. When compared to its closest neighbours, it presents a very favourable safety profile. It is comparable to Lavendon, which has a similar crime rate of 42.2 per 1,000. Nearby rural areas like Emberton, Sherington, and Yardley Hastings report negligible crime rates. For those looking for a quiet and highly secure town environment, Olney offers one of the most secure environments in the entire region, far removed from the higher-activity urban centres.

Protecting Your Property in Olney

Olney's property crime rate of 15.8 per 1,000 people indicates an exceptionally low-risk environment for homeowners, yet the fact that burglary accounts for over 6% of local crime suggests that security should not be ignored. Property crimes, while rare in absolute numbers, still occur. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are reactive—they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed or alert you once an intruder is already inside.

For residents who want to ensure their home remains a hard target, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative. By monitoring your property's boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats before a break-in is even attempted. The system's multi-camera intelligence learns to recognise your family and routines, ensuring that alerts are only sent for genuine threats. In the quiet streets of Olney, the autonomous response features of scOS—such as activating deterrent lighting or audio warnings—can effectively stop a burglar in their tracks. This prevention-first approach is far more effective at protecting your family and assets than simply recording footage of a crime in progress.