Benson Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

November 2025 marked an unexpected spike in shoplifting in Benson, a built-up area within South Oxfordshire, with the category surging from zero to six incidents — a 100% increase. This anomaly stands in stark contrast to the area's generally low crime profile, where the overall rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents remains 42.5% below the UK average of 7.3 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences (10 incidents) and shoplifting (6) dominated the crime picture, accounting for 59.2% of all reported incidents. The seasonal context of November — including Black Friday shopping, Bonfire Night, and shorter daylight hours — likely played a role in shaping these patterns. While violent crime remains the largest category, its rate of 1.5 per 1,000 is 42% below the UK average for this category. The area's lower-than-average rates in burglary (0.3 vs UK 0.3), anti-social behaviour (0.2 vs UK 1.1), and public order offences (0.2 vs UK 0.5) suggest a generally safer environment compared to national trends. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting raises questions about local retail security measures, particularly as Benson's proximity to Oxford may have amplified the impact of nationwide shopping events. This pattern highlights the complex relationship between seasonal consumer behaviour and local crime dynamics, with the area's built-up character potentially making it more susceptible to retail-related incidents during high-traffic periods.

November 2025 saw three crime types increase by 100% compared to October: shoplifting (6 incidents), burglary (2 incidents), and criminal damage and arson (1 incident). This surge in shoplifting — a category typically low in Benson — now sits at 0.9 per 1,000, 43% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Meanwhile, other theft fell by 33.3% (3 → 2) and other crime dropped by 50% (2 → 1). The shift in crime mix reveals a notable property crime increase, with shoplifting now accounting for 22.2% of all incidents — double its October share. Residents may find the 100% jump in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, given Benson's built-up area status and proximity to Oxford's retail corridors, which may have seen increased foot traffic during Black Friday sales.

Benson's crime rate in November 2025 rose to 4.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 49.6% increase from October's 2.8 per 1,000. While this represents a local uptick, it remains 42.5% below the UK average of 7.3 per 1,000. Daily crime data shows an average of one reported crime per day across the 30-day period, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 240 residents. This figure contextualises the scale of incidents within Benson's population of 6,483. The rise contrasts with the area's historically low crime profile, though seasonal factors such as Black Friday shopping and shorter daylight hours may have contributed to the shift. Residents should note that while the rate has increased, Benson continues to perform significantly better than the UK average in most categories, particularly in violent crime and anti-social behaviour.