Oxford Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Oxford, 9.3 crimes occurred in August 2025 — 14.8% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This rate translates to a daily risk of roughly 50 crimes across the city, with one reported crime occurring for every 107 residents over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences (32.6% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (11.8%) and shoplifting (10.6%). These patterns align with Oxford’s character as a university city, where high foot traffic in academic and retail areas likely contributes to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. The seasonal context of August — a peak holiday month with increased tourism and empty homes — may explain the 14.8% above-average crime rate, particularly for burglary and vehicle crime. However, the proportion of violent crimes (32.6% of total) appears higher than the UK average for this category (2.9 per 1,000 vs 2.9 per 1,000), suggesting local factors such as nightlife activity in the city centre could play a role. While the overall rate is elevated, the distribution of crime types indicates a mix of urban and community-specific influences, with property crimes (671) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (506). This balance contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate, highlighting Oxford’s unique crime profile shaped by its academic and tourist populations.

August 2025 saw sharp increases in robbery (+61.1%, from 18 to 29 incidents) and burglary (+20.9%, from 43 to 52 incidents), which may reflect seasonal patterns linked to university holidays and increased property vacancies. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 52.3% (from 65 to 31 incidents), possibly due to heightened awareness during summer months. Bicycle theft, already 757% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000 vs 0.1 per 1,000), remained a stark outlier, likely driven by the city’s large student population and cycling infrastructure. Vehicle crime increased by 24.4% (from 45 to 56 incidents), which could be attributed to increased car usage during the August bank holiday period. Anti-social behaviour — at 1.1 per 1,000 — was 25% below the UK average, suggesting community engagement initiatives in Oxford may be effective in mitigating such incidents. The most significant disparity from the UK average was bicycle theft, which highlights the need for targeted security measures in areas with high student density. These shifts in crime mix indicate a combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and the city’s unique urban landscape.

The August 2025 crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents marked a 6.8% decrease from July’s rate of 10.0 per 1,000, reflecting a slight improvement in overall safety. However, this rate remains 14.8% above the UK average, underscoring Oxford’s distinct crime profile. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 50 crimes per day, a figure that, while manageable, requires ongoing attention to high-risk categories. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 107 residents — a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against Oxford’s population of 166,034, illustrates the city’s need for targeted policing in specific areas. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the absolute number of crimes is significant, the per-capita risk is not extreme compared to other UK cities. This balance is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour, which were 25% below the UK average, suggesting that community-focused interventions may be working. However, the stark divergence in bicycle theft (757% above the UK average) and robbery (82% above the UK average) highlights the need for tailored strategies in areas with high student and tourist footfall. These comparative insights provide a nuanced understanding of Oxford’s crime profile, showing that while some categories align with national trends, others demand localised solutions.