Local Area Crime Statistics

South Oxfordshire Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in South Oxfordshire

Explore South Oxfordshire crime rate statistics. With 47.3 crimes per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 89/100, discover local safety insights.

Overall Crime Rate

47.3
per 1,000 people
49% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

16.3
per 1,000 people
51% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 156,470 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for South Oxfordshire

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in South Oxfordshire
Overall Crime Rate47.3 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate16.3 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score89 out of 100
Population156,470
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in South Oxfordshire
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences3,02019.341%
Anti-social behaviour8225.211%
Public order6093.98%
Criminal damage and arson5953.88%
Other theft5953.88%
Shoplifting5243.47%
Vehicle crime3802.45%
Burglary3001.94%
Drugs1781.12%
Other crime1741.12%
Bicycle theft610.41%
Theft from the person560.41%
Possession of weapons530.31%
Robbery390.21%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in South Oxfordshire

South Oxfordshire presents a notably safer environment compared to the national average, with an overall crime rate of 47.3 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, reflecting a strong safety performance. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 89 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average of 78. In terms of recent trends, South Oxfordshire has experienced a stable period, with a slight decrease of 3.6% year-over-year, indicating a consistent and relatively low crime landscape. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed examination of specific crime types and trends within the district.

South Oxfordshire Safety Score

89
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

South Oxfordshire has a good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across South Oxfordshire

Didcot

67.9
per 1,000
Low Risk

Berinsfield

65.7
per 1,000
Low Risk

Crowmarsh Gifford

64.3
per 1,000
Low Risk

Watlington (South Oxfordshire)

62.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Henley-on-Thames

58.5
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Wallingford

58.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Wheatley

52.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Great Milton

49.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Thame

48.1
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Long Wittenham

44.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Horspath

41.4
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Chalgrove

38.5
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Understanding Crime in South Oxfordshire

South Oxfordshire is characterised by a mix of charming market towns, picturesque villages, and extensive rural landscapes. This predominantly suburban and rural nature, interspersed with residential areas, contributes significantly to its lower crime rates and high safety score. The district benefits from strong community ties and a generally affluent population, factors often associated with reduced criminal activity. While there are local commercial centres and transport hubs, they typically do not attract the same level of transient population or concentrated nightlife found in larger urban areas. The economic landscape, largely supported by local businesses, agriculture, and residents commuting to nearby cities, fosters a stable environment. These characteristics collectively help explain why South Oxfordshire maintains a crime rate considerably below the national average.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
3,020 incidents (19.3 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
822 incidents (5.2 per 1,000)
Public order
609 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
595 incidents (3.8 per 1,000)
Other theft
595 incidents (3.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
524 incidents (3.4 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
380 incidents (2.4 per 1,000)
Burglary
300 incidents (1.9 per 1,000)
Drugs
178 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Other crime
174 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
61 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
56 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
53 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Robbery
39 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 11.6% change(over 12 months)
South Oxfordshire
UK Average

Compare South Oxfordshire with similar populations

South Oxfordshire has a 49.4% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in South Oxfordshire

An analysis of crime types in South Oxfordshire reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 3020 crimes, or 19.3 per 1,000 residents, representing 40.8% of the total. Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 822 incidents (5.2 per 1,000, 11.1% of total), and Public order offences rank third with 609 crimes (3.9 per 1,000, 8.2% of total). When examining property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, South Oxfordshire records 16.3 crimes per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, there were 300 burglaries (1.9 per 1,000), 380 vehicle crimes (2.4 per 1,000), 595 other thefts (3.8 per 1,000), 61 bicycle thefts (0.4 per 1,000), 56 thefts from the person (0.4 per 1,000), and 595 incidents of criminal damage and arson (3.8 per 1,000). These figures indicate that while property crime exists, it is less prevalent than in many other parts of the UK. For residents and homeowners, understanding these patterns highlights the importance of general vigilance and securing possessions, particularly against opportunistic theft and vehicle-related offences, even in a relatively safe area.

Crime Trends in South Oxfordshire

South Oxfordshire has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a slight decrease of 3.6% in total crimes year-over-year. This indicates a consistent and controlled crime environment. Looking at the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents, the data shows fluctuations but generally remains low. For instance, the crime rate was 4.3 in October 2024, dropped to 3.4 in December 2024, and then saw a slight increase to 4.2 in March 2025. Peaks were observed in July 2025 at 4.6, while November 2024, December 2024, August 2025, and September 2025 recorded some of the lowest rates, all at or below 3.8. These patterns suggest that while minor monthly variations occur, there isn't a significant upward or downward trajectory. For residents, this stable trend means that the overall safety profile of South Oxfordshire has remained largely unchanged, offering a predictable environment in terms of crime risk.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, it is helpful to compare South Oxfordshire's crime statistics with several nearby areas. South Oxfordshire's overall crime rate of 47.3 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 89/100 positions it favourably against more urbanised neighbours. For instance, areas like Oxford and Reading, being larger urban centres, typically exhibit higher crime rates due to greater population density and diverse activities. West Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, while also containing rural elements, may have differing local dynamics impacting their crime profiles. Wokingham and Vale of White Horse are often considered more comparable in terms of demographic and geographic characteristics, making the comparisons valuable for understanding localised safety. South Oxfordshire generally maintains a lower crime rate and a higher safety score than most of these areas, reinforcing its reputation as a comparatively safe district within the region.

Protecting Your Property in South Oxfordshire

Given South Oxfordshire's property crime rate of 16.3 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average, residents still benefit from robust home security measures. While the area is generally safe, proactive protection is always more effective than reactive recording. Traditional CCTV cameras, for example, often provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, rather than preventing the incident itself. For those seeking advanced protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a different approach. Instead of simply documenting a crime, scOS is designed to prevent it before it happens by detecting threats at the property boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, watching all cameras simultaneously without interruption. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles. By learning your family's routines and distinguishing between genuine visitors and potential threats, scOS only alerts on real risks. This proactive deterrence, through features like activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on, making them move on within the critical 60-second decision window. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade equipment and AI-driven prevention offer a significant advantage for serious property protection.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for South Oxfordshire

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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