Oswestry Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Oswestry’s crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents in October 2024 places it 23.5% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently safer profile compared to national trends. This built-up area within Shropshire, known for its historic town centre and tourist attractions, saw violence and sexual offences (30 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (20 incidents) as the most common crime categories, accounting for over 46% of all reported crimes. Shoplifting, at 18 incidents (1.0 per 1,000), stood out as a category 39% above the UK average, likely linked to the area’s retail presence and seasonal factors. October’s shorter days and Halloween activities may have contributed to a 175% increase in public order offences, though this remains a small portion of overall crime. The area’s lower violent crime rate compared to the UK, despite its tourist appeal, suggests effective community policing or a demographic profile less prone to violent incidents. Seasonal context—such as darker evenings and Halloween—may have influenced patterns, but the overall crime rate remains stable, reflecting Oswestry’s character as a relatively low-crime, historic town with a focus on community engagement.

October 2024 saw significant month-on-month changes in Oswestry’s crime profile. Public order offences surged by 175%, rising from 4 to 11 incidents, a shift that may reflect heightened community activity during Halloween or increased police visibility in public spaces. Simultaneously, violence and sexual offences fell by 25%, declining from 40 to 30 incidents, a drop consistent with the area’s generally lower violent crime rates. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 23.1%, from 26 to 20 incidents, possibly linked to seasonal transitions or community initiatives. Shoplifting remained 39% above the UK average, with 18 incidents reported, suggesting persistent challenges in retail areas despite the overall decline in crime. The increase in possession of weapons (+100%) and other crime (+100%) from zero to 2 and 1 incidents respectively, though small in number, indicates emerging trends warranting further monitoring. These shifts highlight a combination of seasonal factors and local policing efforts, with property-related crimes maintaining a larger share of the crime mix compared to violent offences.

Oswestry’s crime rate in October 2024 (6.2 per 1,000 residents) fell by 5.2% compared to the previous month’s rate of 6.5 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but measurable decline in overall crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the population of 17,554 residents, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 163 residents, a statistic that provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, particularly in categories like burglary (39% below) and drug-related offences (23% below), which may be attributed to Oswestry’s smaller population and community-focused environment. However, the area’s shoplifting rate remains a notable outlier, 39% above the UK average, illustrating the need for targeted measures in retail zones. These comparisons highlight Oswestry’s unique position as a low-crime, historic town with distinct challenges in specific categories, offering residents a nuanced understanding of their local security landscape.