Oldbury (Sandwell) Crime Rate

Oldbury recorded an overall crime rate of 100.8 per 1,000 people during the period from January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is slightly above the UK average of 91.6, reflecting the town's urban character within the Sandwell borough. Importantly, Oldbury maintains a safety score of 74/100 and is seeing a significant positive trend, with crime decreasing by 9.3% year-over-year. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the types of crime affecting Oldbury, including a property crime rate of 37.7 per 1,000, and offers insights into the times when crime is most likely to occur. For residents, the downward trend is an encouraging sign of improving local safety.

In Oldbury, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and vehicle crime. Violence and sexual offences lead the statistics, accounting for 43.5% of all reports with 1,980 incidents. Shoplifting is a significant concern, representing 10.6% of total crime (481 cases), while vehicle crime follows at 8.7% (397 cases).

Property-related crime is a major factor for this urban area, with a combined rate of 37.7 per 1,000 people. This includes 168 burglaries, 397 vehicle crimes, and over 700 theft-related incidents. The data shows that vehicle crime is particularly prevalent at night, accounting for over half of all crimes recorded between 12am and 6am. For homeowners and vehicle owners, these figures highlight the importance of secure parking and residential protection. The high shoplifting rate also indicates that commercial areas are high-activity zones for opportunistic theft, which can impact the overall safety feel of the town centre.

The crime trend in Oldbury is highly positive, with a significant 9.3% decrease in total crimes year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates peaked at 9.5 in July but dropped as low as 7.3 in December. The period from January through July saw consistently higher activity, with rates frequently reaching 8.8 or higher. This indicates that criminal activity is slightly higher during the first half of the year, but the overall downward trajectory is a strong indicator of an improving safety environment. For residents, this trend suggests that local safety and policing initiatives are effectively reducing crime across the town.

How To Keep Safe in Oldbury

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Oldbury, so personal safety and situational awareness in public spaces are the most important factors for residents.

1. Stay alert when walking through the town centre or near transport hubs, especially during the evening hours.
2. Given that vehicle crime accounts for 57% of all night-time incidents, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit, secure area or garage.
3. When in retail areas during the peak afternoon theft period (12pm-6pm), keep your valuables secure and out of sight to avoid opportunistic theft.
4. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit with motion-sensor lighting to eliminate dark spots where potential intruders could hide.
5. Avoid taking shortcuts through poorly lit parks or industrial zones late at night; stick to well-travelled, bright routes.
6. Report any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police to help them target their patrols effectively.
7. Use high-quality locks on all windows and doors, and consider a visible security system to deter opportunistic criminals.

Crime in Oldbury follows distinct temporal patterns throughout the day. Theft and shoplifting are the primary concerns during the morning and afternoon, accounting for 34% and 41% of crimes respectively, which coincides with peak hours for local commerce. As the day transitions into the evening, 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—become the most dominant category at 44%. However, the most significant risk to property occurs at night; between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime surges to account for 57% of all recorded incidents. Burglary risks also peak during the afternoon (19%) and night (15%), suggesting a mix of daytime opportunistic theft and targeted night-time residential attempts. These patterns indicate that while personal safety is a daytime focus, vehicle and home security are paramount overnight.

In the local context of the Black Country, Oldbury (100.8 per 1,000) is a central urban settlement with a stable safety profile. It is significantly more secure than nearby Smethwick (110.4), West Bromwich (111.2), and Blackheath (135.9). However, it has a higher crime rate than Rowley Regis (77.3). Oldbury's status as a major administrative and commercial town for the Sandwell borough influences its figures, but its significant year-over-year decrease in crime suggests it is becoming an increasingly secure location compared to its immediate neighbours. For those considering the region, Oldbury offers a balanced urban environment with an improving safety trend.

With a property crime rate of 37.7 per 1,000 people, residents in Oldbury face a consistent risk of vehicle crime, burglary, and theft. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, are reactive—they record a crime as it happens but often fail to prevent it. In an urban area like Oldbury, having footage of a theft after the fact is rarely as valuable as stopping the incident from occurring in the first place.

A proactive approach is essential for modern home security. scOS is an AI-powered operating system that prevents crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats before they reach your door. With vehicle crime accounting for a significant 57% of all night-time incidents in Oldbury, scOS's ability to verify vehicles and detect intruders before they reach your car or home is a critical advantage. Its autonomous responses, such as activating lights or speakers, can deter a criminal within 60 seconds of their approach. Choosing professional-grade, proactive security ensures that your property is not an easy target.