Benson Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Benson’s December 2024 crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents marked a 67.6% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s exceptionally low crime environment, a feature consistent with its status as a built-up area within South Oxfordshire. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (33.3% of total incidents), public order offences (20.0%), and criminal damage and arson (20.0%). While violence and sexual offences saw a 37.5% month-on-month decline, seasonal factors such as dark evenings and holiday-related activities may have influenced the sharp rise in public order offences. The area’s retail presence likely contributes to shoplifting rates, though these remained 47% below UK averages. December’s festive season, with its associated retail activity and social gatherings, may have created conditions for public order incidents, despite the overall stability in the crime rate. The low crime profile aligns with Benson’s likely characteristics as a low-density, commuter-oriented built-up area, where community cohesion and policing efforts may mitigate criminal activity. However, the public order surge highlights the need for targeted interventions during periods of heightened social interaction.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in public order offences (+200%), shoplifting (+100%), and criminal damage and arson (+100%), though these remain below UK averages for their categories. Violent crimes fell by 37.5%, with 5 incidents recorded, a rate of 0.8 per 1,000 — 69% below the UK average. Shoplifting’s doubling to 2 incidents in December suggests a potential link to festive retail activity, despite the category’s overall 47% deficit against the UK rate. The decline in other theft (66.7% drop) and the stability of the overall crime rate indicate no widespread spike in criminal activity. Residents may find the 1-in-432 monthly exposure rate reassuring, though the public order surge highlights the need for vigilance during holiday gatherings.

Benson's crime rate in December 2024 remained stable compared to November, maintaining at 2.3 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no significant short-term fluctuations in criminal activity, a pattern often seen in areas with low baseline crime rates. Daily crime data shows an average of 0 crimes per day over the month, a figure that, while locally specific, underscores the area’s low exposure to criminal incidents. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 432 residents highlights the rarity of incidents in Benson relative to its size. This is particularly notable given the area’s built-up character within South Oxfordshire, where higher population density might typically correlate with greater crime rates. The stability contrasts with broader UK trends, where December often sees spikes due to holiday-related factors. However, Benson’s low crime environment appears resilient to seasonal pressures, a dynamic that could reflect effective local policing or the area’s socio-economic profile.