Oxford Crime Rate

Oxford has a crime rate of 102.2 per 1,000 residents over the 12 months from February 2025 to January 2026. This figure is 12.0% above the UK average of 91.2 per 1,000, indicating a higher crime risk compared to the national average. While overall crime has decreased by 5.5% year-on-year, certain crime categories, particularly Violence and sexual offences and shoplifting, remain a cause for concern. Understanding these statistics is vital for residents and prospective newcomers to assess safety and take appropriate precautions. The data provides a snapshot of Oxford’s crime landscape and highlights areas where targeted interventions may be necessary.

Oxford’s crime profile reveals a concerning prevalence of Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, 32.9% of all recorded crimes, significantly above the UK average of 32.2. Shoplifting also presents a notable challenge, with 13.4 incidents per 1,000 residents – a staggering 76% above the national average. 'Other theft' contributes further to the overall crime picture, registering at 9.2 per 1,000, 50% higher than the UK average. While anti-social behaviour is comparatively lower than the UK average (8.6 vs 14.8 per 1,000), the sheer volume of incidents underscores the need for proactive community engagement. The disproportionate increase in specific crimes highlights underlying social and economic factors impacting Oxford and warrants targeted intervention strategies. Understanding these nuances is crucial for developing effective crime prevention measures.

Crime in Oxford has been decreasing by 5.5% year-on-year from February 2025 to January 2026. While shoplifting saw a decrease of 10.6% and vehicle crime dropped by 15.1%, robbery saw an increase of 30.4%. Monthly data reveals fluctuations, with a peak in July 2025 (9.6 per 1,000) and a low point in December 2025 (7.7 per 1,000). This complex pattern underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions.

How To Keep Safe in Oxford

Given the elevated rates of Violence and sexual offences, it's crucial to be aware of your surroundings, especially during evening hours. Given the prevalence of shoplifting, secure your belongings in public spaces. Considering the number of burglaries, reinforce doors and windows, and invest in a reliable home security system like scOS, which proactively prevents crime by detecting threats before they occur. Finally, be vigilant about vehicle crime and consider installing a vehicle alarm or tracking device.

Crime in Oxford exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. While burglaries are most prevalent between midnight and 6am, violence and sexual offences tend to concentrate during the evening hours, particularly on weekends. Theft is most common during commercial hours (9am-5pm), while vehicle crime often occurs overnight. Understanding these time-based trends can help residents take proactive steps to enhance their personal safety.

Comparing Oxford's crime rate to neighbouring local authorities reveals varying levels of safety. Wolvercote reports a crime rate of 77.8 per 1,000, significantly higher than Oxford’s 102.2. Chawley, on the other hand, demonstrates a much lower rate of 19.6 per 1,000, highlighting a considerable disparity in crime levels across the region. Boars Hill's rate of 58.3 per 1,000 sits closer to Oxford's overall figure.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide a record of criminal activity but offer little in the way of prevention. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats at your property line is another. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, proactively detects potential threats at the property boundary, leveraging multi-camera intelligence and vehicle verification to deter criminals before they even attempt entry. Unlike DIY systems that alert you after a breach, scOS intervenes in real-time, often preventing the crime altogether. The visible presence of scOS signals a serious level of protection, often prompting burglars to reconsider their targets, especially given the 60-second decision window most burglars operate within.