Oakham Crime Rate

Oakham, the historic county town of Rutland, is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 51.0 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the town a high safety score of 88/100. The recent crime trend is classified as stable, with a minor 3.6% increase year-over-year, suggesting that Oakham's secure environment is being consistently maintained. For its 14,664 residents, the town offers a low-risk setting where property crime rates are also well below the national norm at 17.1 per 1,000. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of the crime types, trends, and time patterns that define Oakham's safety profile.

Crime in Oakham

Crime in Oakham is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 36.9% of all reports, totaling 276 incidents annually. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 17.2%, followed by shoplifting at 13.1%. These figures suggest that crime in Oakham is frequently concentrated in the town's central commercial and retail areas.

Property crime in Oakham—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 17.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (3.9 per 1,000) and other theft (2.6 per 1,000) are the most frequent. Burglary and vehicle crime both stand at a relatively low 1.5 and 1.4 per 1,000 respectively. For residents, this indicates a very secure urban settlement, though the prominence of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining a visible security presence in commercial and residential properties to deter opportunistic activity.

Crime Trends in Oakham

The crime trend in Oakham is currently classified as stable, with a minor 3.6% increase in total reported offences over the last 12 months. Analysis of the monthly data throughout 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between a low of 2.7 in February and a peak of 5.2 in May.

The spring and summer months saw a slight elevation in activity, with 5.2 recorded in May and 5.1 in July, followed by a steady rate of around 4.0 through the autumn. The low point of 2.7 in February highlights the typically quiet nature of the town during the winter months. For residents, this stability is a very positive sign, as it suggests that Oakham's safety profile is well-managed and that the risk of crime remains predictable and significantly lower than the UK average year-round. This consistency is a hallmark of the town's secure environment.

How To Keep Safe in Oakham

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Oakham, accounting for 36.9% of all reported incidents. While the town is very safe, taking proactive steps can further enhance your personal and property security.

1. When in Oakham town centre, especially during market days or evening hours, remain aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure to deter shoplifting and other theft.
2. If you are out walking at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through less populated areas, even in traditionally safe neighbourhoods.
3. Given the rate of anti-social behaviour (17.2%), report any nuisance activity to the local police; community reporting is vital for helping authorities maintain the town's peaceful character.
4. For vehicle owners, ensure your car is locked and parked in a secure or well-lit area, as vehicle crime accounts for a higher proportion of night-time activity.
5. Consider installing proactive security measures at home, such as motion-activated lighting and AI-powered surveillance, to deter opportunistic property crime and keep Oakham's statistics low.

Crime Patterns in Oakham

Crime in Oakham follows distinct temporal patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are relatively quiet, though they see a high proportion of theft (45%) and vehicle crime (12%), likely as people begin their daily routines. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the peak period for theft-related offences (47%), coinciding with the town's busiest commercial and shopping hours.

As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the crime profile shifts. While theft decreases, other categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences become more prominent, accounting for 55% of activity. The night-time period (12am-6am) has the lowest overall volume of crime but sees the highest proportion of burglary (19%) and vehicle crime (31%). This suggests that while Oakham is generally safe, property-related risks are most acute during the late-night and early-morning hours when properties and vehicles are left unattended. Residents should ensure their security measures are particularly robust during these times.

Oakham is the primary urban centre in Rutland and is surrounded by smaller, even lower-crime settlements. It compares favourably to neighbouring Barleythorpe, which has a crime rate of 41.5 per 1,000, and Langham at 38.3. Other nearby villages like Braunston-in-Rutland and Manton report minimal crime activity. While Oakham's status as a commercial hub naturally results in a slightly higher crime rate than its more rural neighbours, it remains one of the safest market towns in the country. For residents, Oakham provides a secure urban environment that is far removed from the safety concerns of larger regional cities.

Protecting Your Property in Oakham

With a property crime rate of 17.1 per 1,000 residents, Oakham is a very secure town. However, the presence of shoplifting, criminal damage, and burglary indicates that property-related offences still occur, particularly in commercial and residential hubs. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or video doorbells, are often reactive—they record the event but do little to stop it. To maintain Oakham's high safety standards, proactive prevention is the most effective strategy.

The scOS AI-powered security system offers a proactive solution by monitoring your property's boundaries in real-time. Using advanced AI, it can identify a potential intruder before they even reach your door or vehicle. This "boundary-first" detection allows scOS to trigger autonomous deterrents, such as lights and speakers, to stop a crime before it happens. This proactive stance is particularly effective in preventing burglary and vehicle crime, which often occur during the quiet night-time hours when properties are most vulnerable. By choosing scOS, you are investing in a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, ensuring your home remains a secure sanctuary in Oakham.