Oxford Crime Rate

Oxford, a historic and vibrant university city, currently has an overall crime rate of 106.7 per 1,000 people. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 91.7, the city maintains a safety score of 76/100, which is respectable for a major urban centre. Encouragingly, the most recent data shows a decreasing trend, with a 6.4% year-over-year reduction in total crime. This suggests that while Oxford faces the typical challenges of a high-density tourist and student hub, safety is improving. The city's crime profile is largely driven by its busy commercial centre, with violence and shoplifting being the most frequently reported incidents. Residents and visitors alike benefit from this downward trend in criminal activity.

Oxford is a world-renowned university city with a unique demographic profile that significantly influences its crime statistics. As a major educational hub, it hosts a large, transient student population and millions of annual tourists, both of which contribute to high footfall in the city centre. The city's economic landscape is dominated by education, research, and publishing, but it also serves as a key commercial and transport hub for the wider Oxfordshire region. The high density of retail spaces, particularly around the Westgate centre, naturally leads to higher rates of shoplifting and opportunistic theft. Furthermore, Oxford's status as a major railway junction and its vibrant nightlife attract people from across the county, increasing the potential for public order and alcohol-related incidents. These factors—high population density, tourism, and a significant transient community—explain why the city's crime rate is higher than more suburban or rural neighbouring districts. Understanding Oxford's role as a regional centre helps contextualise its safety score and crime figures.

In Oxford, crime is most frequently represented by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 32.9% of all reports, or 35.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is the second most common crime type at 13.1%, followed by other theft at 8.9%. Property-related crime is a significant factor for the city, with an overall rate of 46.9 per 1,000 people. This encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, and theft, including the city's notably high rate of bicycle theft (5.5 per 1,000), which is a persistent issue in this cycling-centric community. For homeowners and residents, the property crime rate is higher than the UK average of 32.3, suggesting that security for both dwellings and personal belongings—particularly bikes and vehicles—should be a high priority. While burglary accounts for only 3.1% of total crime, the high volume of general theft in public and commercial spaces remains the primary driver of property offences in the district.

The crime trend in Oxford is currently moving in a positive direction, with a 6.4% year-over-year decrease in total reported incidents. Monthly data for the period of December 2024 to November 2025 shows that crime rates remained relatively consistent, generally fluctuating between 8.2 and 10.0 per 1,000 residents. The highest activity was recorded in July 2025, reaching a peak of 10.0 per 1,000, which aligns with the height of the summer tourist season. Conversely, the lowest rate of 7.6 was seen in January 2025. This stability in the monthly figures, combined with the overall annual reduction, suggests that Oxford is successfully managing its crime levels. For residents, this trend indicates a gradually improving safety environment, though the consistent volume of reports reminds us that the city remains an active urban area.

In the context of the wider region, Oxford serves as the primary urban centre, which is reflected in its higher crime rate of 106.7 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than West Berkshire, which records a rate of 67.1. Interestingly, many of Oxford's surrounding districts, including Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse, and West Oxfordshire, as well as neighbouring Buckinghamshire, recorded zero or negligible crime rates in this data period. This disparity highlights Oxford's unique position as a dense commercial and educational hub compared to the more rural and suburban nature of its neighbours. For those living in the region, Oxford remains the most active area for both economic activity and reported crime.

Oxford's property crime rate of 46.9 per 1,000 people is considerably higher than the UK average of 32.3. This highlights a significant need for robust home security. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV cameras, are essentially reactive; they provide evidence after a crime has already been committed. In a city like Oxford, where opportunistic theft and bicycle theft are common, proactive protection is a far more effective strategy. The scOS AI-powered home security system is designed to prevent crime before it occurs. By using intelligent boundary detection, scOS identifies potential threats at the perimeter of your property. Unlike traditional systems that wait for a break-in to trigger an alert, scOS can autonomously respond to intruders with lights and audio deterrents, effectively stopping a crime in its tracks. For Oxford homeowners, investing in professional-grade, proactive AI security means moving beyond simply recording a burglary to actively preventing one, ensuring your home and belongings remain truly secure.

How To Keep Safe in Oxford

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Oxford, particularly in the busy city centre and around nightlife areas. To stay safe, always remain aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Stick to well-lit, populated routes and avoid shortcuts through quiet parks or alleys. If you are a student or visitor, familiarise yourself with the city's layout and the locations of safe spaces. It is also wise to keep your mobile phone and valuables out of sight to avoid attracting opportunistic theft. Given the city's high rate of bicycle theft, always use high-quality D-locks and secure your bike in designated, well-lit areas or monitored cycle hubs. When using public transport or taxis late at night, ensure they are licensed and share your journey details with a friend. By combining situational awareness with practical security habits, you can significantly reduce your risk and enjoy all that Oxford has to offer safely.