Benson Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The dominant crime category in Benson during April 2024 was a three-way tie between other theft, public order offences, and violence and sexual offences, each accounting for 20% of the 15 total incidents reported. This distribution highlights a focus on low-level, often transient crimes that align with the area's character as a built-up community within South Oxfordshire. The overall crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents places Benson 70.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that underscores the area's relative safety. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping these patterns, with the Easter holiday and spring weather potentially influencing both the frequency and nature of reported crimes. Public order offences, which saw a 200% increase compared to March, may reflect the impact of seasonal events or increased outdoor activity in public spaces. Violence and sexual offences, while down 66.7% from the previous month, remained 80% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a statistic consistent with Benson's generally low violent crime profile. The presence of other theft incidents, which were 11% below the UK average, suggests that personal property crimes are occurring at a pace that is neither excessively high nor alarmingly low for a community of this size. The data also reveals a notable anomaly in the possession of weapons category, which was 329% above the UK average, though this remains a small proportion of the overall crime picture. These findings, combined with Benson's built-up area context, illustrate a community where crime is largely confined to minor incidents, with no clear signs of systemic issues.

April 2024 saw sharp fluctuations in crime patterns, with public order offences surging by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents) and possession of weapons increasing by 100% (from 0 to 2). These rises contrast with a 66.7% drop in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 9 to 3. The possession of weapons category stands out as 329% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, a figure that may partly explain heightened police scrutiny in the area. Meanwhile, other theft incidents decreased by 25% (from 4 to 3), though they remained 11% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. The balance between property and violent crime shifted slightly, with property crimes (5) outpacing violent crimes (3) for the first time this year. Residents may find the 200% increase in public order offences particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a potential link to Easter-related events or increased foot traffic in local areas.

Benson's crime rate in April 2024 fell to 2.3 per 1,000 residents, a 42.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.0 per 1,000. This decline places the area significantly below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that has widened over recent months. Daily crime figures show an average of 0 crimes per day in April, reflecting a low-frequency pattern consistent with Benson's built-up area status. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 432 residents, a statistic that contextualises the rarity of incidents within a population of 6,483. This low monthly exposure contrasts sharply with national trends, where the UK average translates to one crime for every 127 residents. The population-scaled perspective highlights Benson's relative safety, with crime levels remaining well below both historical benchmarks and national averages. The drop from March to April aligns with seasonal patterns, as spring weather and Easter-related activity may have temporarily reduced opportunities for certain types of crime.