Oakham Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Oakham’s crime rate in March 2023 stood at 2.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 69.7% below the UK average of 7.6. This reflects a consistently low-crime profile for the built-up area within Rutland, a rural county known for its small-town character and limited urban density. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.4% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (12.1%) and other theft (12.1%). These figures align with Rutland’s broader pattern of low violent crime, though the share of violence-related incidents remains higher than in some other rural areas. Seasonal factors may have influenced the data: as March transitions to spring, the lengthening evenings could have increased opportunities for incidents involving public spaces, though the overall rate remained stable compared to previous months. The area’s low property crime rate—12 incidents in total—suggests effective community policing or limited high-value targets in residential areas. Violent crime in Oakham is 71% below the UK average, consistent with its status as a small, close-knit community where social cohesion may act as a deterrent. The data also highlights a significant gap between local and national trends, with categories like anti-social behaviour (81% below UK average) and public order offences (69% below) showing particularly stark contrasts. This underscores the importance of local context in interpreting crime statistics, as Oakham’s unique geography and population dynamics likely contribute to its distinct profile.

March 2023 saw a notable reduction in violent crime compared to the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 0.8 per 1,000 residents—71% below the national rate. This category accounted for 36.4% of all crimes, though the absolute number (12 incidents) remained low given Oakham’s population of 14,664. Property crime also showed marked improvement, with only 12 incidents reported, including no burglaries and minimal shoplifting (3 cases). This contrasts sharply with the UK average for shoplifting, which stands at 0.5 per 1,000. The data also reveals a small but statistically significant anomaly: possession of weapons was 43% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000), though the single reported incident may reflect isolated circumstances rather than a broader trend. The balance between violent and property crime shifted slightly, with violent offences comprising a larger share of the total than property crimes (36.4% vs 36.4%, respectively). This suggests no major systemic changes in crime patterns but highlights the need for continued vigilance in addressing the rare instances of weapons possession. For residents, the most immediate insight is the low frequency of crime: with only 33 incidents reported across the month, the likelihood of encountering crime is minimal, particularly compared to the UK average.

Oakham’s crime rate in March 2023 (2.3 per 1,000) places it firmly in the lower bracket of UK crime statistics, with 69.7% fewer incidents than the national average. When scaled to daily figures, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a rate that would be exceptionally rare in more densely populated regions. On a monthly basis, this translates to one crime occurring for every 444 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively safe environment in Oakham compared to the UK’s average monthly exposure of 1-in-132 residents. This disparity is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences, where local rates were 81% and 69% below the UK average, respectively. These differences likely reflect the area’s rural character and limited urban infrastructure, which may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. The population context also plays a role: with 14,664 residents, Oakham’s small size means that even a modest number of incidents can be distributed across a large number of households. For example, the 12 reported cases of violence and sexual offences would equate to approximately one incident for every 1,222 residents—far below the UK average. This suggests that local factors, such as strong community ties and limited anonymity in small towns, may contribute to the area’s low crime rates. However, the slightly higher rate of weapons possession (43% above UK average) remains an outlier, warranting further analysis to determine whether it reflects a transient issue or a more persistent trend.