Oswestry Crime Rate

About Oswestry Crime Statistics

Oswestry experiences an overall crime rate of 85.3 crimes per 1,000 people per year. This figure is below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000, contributing to a safety score of 80 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 78/100. Over the past year, the crime trend in Oswestry has remained stable, showing a decrease of 1.2%. These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of safety in Oswestry, setting the stage for a detailed examination of specific crime types and their patterns within the urban area.

Oswestry Crime Type Analysis

In Oswestry, Violence and sexual offences represent the most common crime, accounting for 40.1% of all incidents with 600 reported crimes (34.2 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent, making up 17.7% of crimes (265 incidents, 15.1 per 1,000), followed by Shoplifting as the third highest at 8.9% (133 incidents, 7.6 per 1,000).

Considering property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Oswestry records a rate of 25.1 crimes per 1,000 people per year. This is below the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively lower risk for residents and businesses. However, the presence of shoplifting among the top three crimes highlights the importance of vigilance in commercial areas. Residents should also be aware of criminal damage and arson, and vehicle crime, as these contribute to the overall property crime figures.

Crime Trends in Oswestry

Oswestry has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a slight decrease of 1.2% year-over-year. Monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents show fluctuations. Starting at 6.1 in November 2024, the rate saw a dip to 5.2 in December 2024, followed by a significant peak of 10.4 in July 2025. There was a subsequent decrease, ending at 5.6 in October 2025. These variations suggest periodic influences on crime, but the overall trend indicates a slight improvement in safety over the past twelve months for residents.

How To Keep Safe in Oswestry

Given that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Oswestry, it is crucial to prioritise personal safety. When out in the town, especially during evenings or weekends, try to stay with friends and remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or isolated areas, and plan your journey home in advance. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable, seek assistance from a trusted person or venue staff, and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Oswestry

Crime in Oswestry exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day and night. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are prominent, accounting for 47% of crimes, alongside burglary at 6% and vehicle crime at 8%. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) also sees significant theft (51%), with burglary increasing to 11% and vehicle crime dropping to 3%. In the evening (6pm-12am), other crimes become the majority at 62%, while theft drops to 20% and vehicle crime is 8%. Night hours (12am-6am) are marked by a higher proportion of other crimes (51%), with vehicle crime at 23% and burglary at 14%, suggesting a shift towards crimes committed under the cover of darkness.

Crime in Nearby Areas

Comparing Oswestry's crime rate of 85.3 per 1,000 provides context against its surrounding areas. Morda, with a lower rate of 39.3 per 1,000, appears safer. Whittington (Shropshire) also has a lower rate at 47.2 per 1,000. Gobowen, with a rate of 71.8 per 1,000, is closer to Oswestry's figures, while Trefonen is significantly lower at 26.3 per 1,000. These comparisons highlight that while Oswestry's crime rate is below the UK average, some nearby smaller settlements experience considerably lower crime levels.

Protecting Your Home in Oswestry

With a property crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000, Oswestry residents face a lower risk compared to the UK average. However, urban areas can still be targets for property-related crimes such as burglary, criminal damage, and vehicle crime. Relying solely on reactive security, such as traditional CCTV, often means you only get footage of a burglary after it has happened. For genuine peace of mind, consider a proactive approach with scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system. scOS goes beyond recording by actively preventing crime before it occurs. Its intelligent system monitors all cameras simultaneously, uses DVLA vehicle verification, and learns routines to distinguish between genuine threats and everyday activity. When a threat is detected at your property boundary, scOS can autonomously activate lights and engage speakers, destroying the element of surprise and deterring intruders, making your property a less attractive target.