Benson Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Benson—a built-up area within South Oxfordshire—recorded 20 crimes, equating to 3.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 61.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently low crime profile for the area. The most common offences were violence and sexual offences (6 incidents, 30% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (3) and other theft (3). These patterns align with Benson’s character as a small, rural-adjacent town with limited nightlife and commercial activity, which likely contributes to lower rates of public order and vehicle-related crimes. The seasonal context of October, with shorter daylight hours and the approach of Halloween, may have influenced spikes in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. Violent crimes, while accounting for 30% of all incidents, remained 66% below the UK average, suggesting that Benson’s demographic and geographic factors—such as its proximity to rural areas and limited urban density—play a role in moderating such offences. The balance between property and violent crime, with property crimes slightly outnumbering violent ones, further supports the area’s profile as a low-risk, community-focused environment. Residents should remain aware of seasonal fluctuations but can take comfort in the broader context of Benson’s consistently low crime rates compared to national benchmarks.

October 2024 saw significant shifts in Benson’s crime mix. Other theft rose by 200% compared to September, driven by three incidents—double the previous month’s count. Anti-social behaviour also doubled, with three reports, while shoplifting increased from zero to two. These spikes may reflect seasonal factors such as Halloween. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50%, and vehicle crime dropped by 33.3%, potentially linked to reduced outdoor activity as daylight hours shortened. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 30% of all crimes, but this rate was 66% below the UK average. For residents, the 100% rise in anti-social behaviour highlights a need for community vigilance during late autumn. The data also shows that property crimes (10 incidents) slightly outnumbered violent crimes (6), a balance consistent with Benson’s built-up area profile.

Benson’s crime rate in October 2024 rose by 53.2% compared to September, moving from 2.0 to 3.1 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, remains significantly below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, Benson saw roughly one crime reported per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a low but consistent level of activity. When scaled to the local population of 6,483, this translates to one reported crime for every 324 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure provides context for residents: while the rate is low, the population size means that individual risk remains minimal. The shift from September to October may be influenced by seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween. The data underscores Benson’s status as a relatively safe area, with crime patterns that align with broader rural-urban distinctions in South Oxfordshire.