Didcot Crime Rate

Didcot is a secure and thriving market town, as evidenced by its strong safety score of 84/100. The town's overall crime rate is 65.3 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. Recent data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a stable trend, with total crime changing by only 0.3% year-over-year. Property crime is also relatively low at 20.5 per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 32.3. While violence and anti-social behaviour are the most commonly reported issues, the low rates of burglary and vehicle crime highlight Didcot as a safe and stable community for its 35,751 residents.

In Didcot, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, making up 44.0% of all reports with 1,028 recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour is second at 12.1%, followed by shoplifting at 10.9%. These figures reflect a moderate volume of crime for an urban area, with a significant focus on personal safety and retail-related offences.

Property-related crime—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and shoplifting—sits at a rate of 20.5 per 1,000 residents. While this is well below the UK average of 32.3, it represents a tangible risk for the community. Within this category, shoplifting (254 cases) and other theft (147 cases) are the most frequent, particularly in the town's commercial areas. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, with 52 and 65 incidents recorded respectively. The burglary rate is 1.4 per 1,000 people, accounting for only 2.2% of total crime. For residents, this means that while home security is important, the statistical risk of a break-in is low. The primary property concerns are opportunistic theft and shoplifting, which are more common in the town's retail heart. The town's safety is a defining characteristic, with property crime being lower than the national average.

The crime trend in Didcot is stable, with a 0.3% decrease in total crime over the last 12 months. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows the crime rate remaining relatively consistent, with minor fluctuations between 3.9 and 6.8 per 1,000 residents each month.

The highest rate was recorded in March 2025 at 6.8, while the lowest was in October 2025 at 3.9. The year ended with a rate of 4.6 in November. This consistent trend suggests that Didcot is successfully managing its safety profile. For residents, this reinforces the town's status as a safe place to live. Continued vigilance is always advised, but the long-term data indicates a community that maintains its safety standards effectively. The stability of the monthly figures is a strong sign of a safe and well-policed environment.

How To Keep Safe in Didcot

Didcot is a safe town, but the most prevalent crime type is violence and sexual offences (44.0%). This is often related to domestic or private incidents, but general safety awareness is always good.

• Support Local Businesses: With shoplifting being a notable crime type (10.9%), being a vigilant shopper and reporting suspicious behaviour can help local retailers maintain a safe high street.
• Theft Prevention: Other theft accounts for 6.3% of local incidents and is most common in the morning and afternoon. Ensure personal belongings are not left unattended in public spaces, especially in the town centre.
• Maintain Your Property Boundary: With criminal damage being a notable crime type (6.1%), keeping fences and gates in good repair can deter opportunistic access and clearly define your private space.
• Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime is relatively rare (2.8%) but peaks at night (31%). Always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any items on display, even in your own driveway.
• Report ASB: Anti-social behaviour makes up 12.1% of local crime. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps ensure that public spaces like parks and the Orchard Centre remain welcoming for everyone.

Crime in Didcot follows a distinct daily cycle. Shoplifting and theft are most frequent in the morning and afternoon, accounting for 51% and 52% of incidents in those periods respectively, peaking when the town's retail areas are busiest. Anti-social behaviour increases in the evening. At night, vehicle crime and burglary risks are more prominent, with vehicle crime accounting for 31% of incidents between midnight and 6am. Burglary risks are relatively low but show a slight peak at night (17%) and in the afternoon (13%). Understanding these patterns allows residents to be more proactive about their security, particularly regarding theft during the day and vehicle protection during the overnight hours. Residents should ensure that vehicles are securely parked and homes are well-protected during these vulnerable late-night hours.

Didcot is a safe market town within South Oxfordshire. When compared to nearby settlements, it is significantly more secure than larger urban centres like Oxford and Reading. Its crime rate of 65.3 is lower than nearby Harwell (71.7) but higher than smaller neighbours like East Hagbourne (23.5). While tiny hamlets like West Hagbourne and Milton report zero crime, Didcot offers a secure urban environment with a level of safety that is superior to the UK average. Its crime rate reflects a community that is well-policed and generally peaceful. For those seeking a safe place to live with good amenities, Didcot provides an ideal balance of town life and high security.

With a property crime rate of 20.5 per 1,000, Didcot is a safe town, but the presence of shoplifting and opportunistic theft indicates that offenders are active. Traditional security systems like standard CCTV or Ring cameras are reactive; they record footage of a crime while it happens. In an area this safe, the goal of security should be to maintain that status by preventing even the rarest of incidents.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the modern solution for high-safety areas. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundary 24/7, scOS can detect a potential intruder before they attempt a break-in. Features like autonomous light and sound deterrence can warn off a curious individual before they even reach your door. For Didcot residents, scOS provides a level of intelligent protection that traditional systems cannot, ensuring that your home remains as secure as the statistics suggest it should be. This proactive approach is particularly effective in residential areas.