Benson Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Benson’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 2.6 per 1,000 residents, a figure 61.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s position as a relatively low-crime built-up area within South Oxfordshire, where community characteristics and geographic factors likely contribute to the reduced incidence of crime. The breakdown of reported crimes reveals a clear dominance of violent offences, which accounted for 47.1% of all incidents, followed by property crimes (11.8%) and other categories. Violence and sexual offences, at 1.2 per 1,000, remain 52% below the UK average for this category, consistent with the area’s likely low population density and possibly strong local policing. However, the data also highlights areas of divergence: other crime and burglary both exceed their respective UK averages, with other crime being 87% above the national rate. These discrepancies may reflect specific local factors, such as the presence of small-scale commercial or residential developments that could attract targeted criminal activity. Seasonal context plays a role in January, a month typically marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may suppress outdoor crimes but could also lead to shifts in criminal behaviour, such as increased indoor or targeted offences. The overall picture illustrates a balance between national trends and local idiosyncrasies, where Benson’s crime profile remains safer than the UK average but not without its own unique patterns.

January 2026 saw notable fluctuations in crime types, with other crime, burglary, and criminal damage and arson each increasing by 100% compared to December. This surge in these categories, which were previously unreported, suggests a potential shift in criminal activity or reporting patterns. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 11.1%, from 9 to 8 incidents, a drop that may reflect seasonal trends or local interventions. The breakdown of crimes reveals a striking imbalance: violence and sexual offences, at 1.2 per 1,000, remain 52% below the UK average for this category. However, other crime and burglary both exceed their respective UK averages, with other crime being 87% above the national rate. This contrast highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics, where some categories align with broader trends while others diverge sharply. Residents might find the 100% increase in burglary particularly concerning, as it indicates a sudden rise in property-related incidents that warrants further attention.

Benson's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 54.1% compared to December 2025, moving from 1.7 to 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though notable, remains far below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. Daily crime figures show one reported crime per day on average in January, a statistic that contextualises the low level of activity relative to the area’s population of 6,483. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 381 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the UK’s broader context, Benson’s figures highlight a stark contrast: while the national average reflects a higher density of reported crimes, Benson’s numbers align more closely with rural or low-density urban areas. This divergence may reflect Benson’s character as a small, possibly commuter-oriented town within South Oxfordshire, where lower population density and community cohesion contribute to reduced crime rates. The data does not suggest a significant shift in crime patterns beyond the month-on-month increase, which remains an isolated fluctuation against a consistently low baseline.