Oakham Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Oakham's February 2025 crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents stands at 59.7% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest rates in the country. This stark contrast to the national picture is particularly evident in violence and sexual offences, which occurred at 1.1 per 1,000—53% below the UK average for this category. The crime profile reflects a built-up area's characteristics, with violent crimes accounting for 40% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.5%) and other theft (12.5%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of winter months, when reduced outdoor activity and shorter evenings may limit opportunities for property crimes while concentrating social interactions in urban spaces. The overall rate is consistent with Rutland's generally low crime profile, a rural county with a built-up core that benefits from lower population density and community cohesion. Despite the relatively low absolute numbers, the proportion of violent crimes suggests a need for targeted policing strategies in high-traffic areas such as the town centre. The seasonal context of February—marked by cold weather and pre-spring lulls—may have contributed to the shift in crime types, with shoplifting declining sharply as retail footfall dropped. However, the increase in other theft and burglary indicates that criminal activity persists, albeit in different forms, highlighting the complex relationship between environmental factors and crime patterns in built-up areas.

February 2025 saw a dramatic 75% decrease in shoplifting, with incidents falling from 16 to 4—a shift that may reflect seasonal lulls in retail activity. Conversely, other theft rose by 150% (2 to 5 incidents), suggesting a possible reallocation of criminal focus towards personal property rather than commercial targets. Violent crimes, the most common category (40% of total), remained 53% below the UK average at 1.1 per 1,000, a figure that contrasts with the national trend. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 40% (5 to 3 incidents), potentially linked to shorter evenings and reduced public gatherings in winter. The crime mix shifted from property to violent offences, with violent crimes accounting for 40% of the total compared to 32.5% in the previous month. This shift may be influenced by local factors such as the area's built-up character, where social interactions are more concentrated. Residents may find the 75% drop in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a temporary reduction in commercial crime during the pre-spring lull.

Oakham's February 2025 crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 35.5% decline from the previous month's 4.2 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. This reduction is most pronounced in shoplifting, which fell by 75% from 16 to 4 incidents. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported crime per day in February, a figure that may appear high in absolute terms but aligns with the area's low overall rate. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 367 residents, a ratio that underscores the relatively safe environment compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even with 40 total crimes, Oakham's small population of 14,664 means each resident faces a significantly lower risk than the national average. This contrast is particularly evident in violent crimes, which account for 40% of all incidents but remain 53% below the UK average for this category. The shift from property crimes to violent offences in the breakdown may reflect seasonal factors, as winter months often see increased indoor activity and social interactions in built-up areas like Oakham.