Oxford Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Oxford's built-up area recorded a crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents in November 2025, placing it 17.8% above the UK average of 7.3. This figure reflects a combination of local dynamics and seasonal factors, with the month's events likely contributing to the elevated rate. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (32.1% of total crimes), shoplifting (12.0%), and other theft (10.2%), each significantly exceeding UK averages. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.8 per 1,000, were 9% above the UK average, while shoplifting (1.0 per 1,000) surged 59% higher than the national benchmark. These patterns align with Oxford's character as a university city with a high student population, where campus proximity and nightlife activity may drive certain offences. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and extended dark evenings—could also influence crime patterns, with increased foot traffic and commercial activity contributing to retail-related offences. However, direct causal links, and other factors may equally explain these trends. The overall crime rate remains stable compared to the previous month, suggesting no dramatic shifts in underlying trends despite the seasonal pressures.

November 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons surging by 125% (from 4 to 9 incidents) and robbery increasing by 91.7% (from 12 to 23). These sharp rises, though small in absolute terms, suggest localized spikes that may warrant further attention. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 36.9% (from 141 to 89), a decline that may reflect the impact of seasonal events or targeted policing efforts. Public order offences also rose by 33.3% (from 96 to 128), linked to the extended dark evenings of November and the associated increase in alcohol-related incidents. The crime mix shows a stark contrast between violent and property crimes: violence and sexual offences dominate at 32.1%, while property crimes account for 46.0% (687 incidents). This balance is different from the UK average, where property crimes typically hold a larger share. Bicycle theft, at 0.6 per 1,000, was 900% above the UK average, a figure that may be explained by Oxford's high density of cyclists and the presence of university campuses. Residents might find the 12.0% share of shoplifting particularly relevant, as this category's 59% excess over the UK average suggests targeted retail crime that could inform local business security measures.

The crime rate in November 2025 remained stable compared to the previous month, with a 0.2% change from 8.6 per 1,000 to the same figure. This consistency suggests no significant upward or downward momentum in overall crime trends. On a daily basis, Oxford experienced approximately 50 crimes per day during November—a figure that contextualizes the monthly total of 1,494 incidents. When scaled to the population of 173,486 residents, this translates to one reported crime for roughly every 116 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, though it does not account for variations in individual vulnerability or neighbourhood-specific patterns. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the disparity between Oxford and the UK average: while the UK average crime rate is 7.3 per 1,000, Oxford's rate is higher, reflecting the unique characteristics of a major university city. This comparison underscores the importance of localized context in interpreting crime statistics, as factors such as student population density, academic calendar rhythms, and the presence of cultural landmarks may shape Oxford's crime profile distinctively from other areas. The stability in the monthly rate, despite fluctuations in specific categories, suggests that broader systemic factors continue to influence the city's crime profile more than short-term seasonal variations.