Didcot Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Didcot's overall crime rate in September 2023 stood at 4.9 crimes per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 8.0 (38.7% below). This performance places the area among the safest in the country for this month. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences, making up 48.6% of all reported crimes (85 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (12.6%) and shoplifting (6.9%). These figures align with the area's character as a relatively low-density built-up area within South Oxfordshire, where community engagement and local policing may contribute to maintaining lower crime rates. Seasonal factors also appear to influence patterns: as September transitions into autumn, the return of students to the University of Oxford and local schools likely contributes to increased foot traffic in town centres, which may partly explain the prominence of violent incidents. However, the area's consistent performance below UK averages for property crimes—such as shoplifting (46% below UK average) and vehicle crime (38% below)—suggests effective local measures in preventing theft and vandalism. While direct causal links, the combination of community-focused policing and the area's moderate population density may explain these trends. The absence of significant spikes in burglary (69% below UK average) or public order offences (68% below UK average) further reinforces the notion that Didcot's crime profile remains distinct from more densely populated urban centres.

September 2023 saw notable decreases in several categories compared to August, including a 53.3% drop in public order offences (from 15 to 7) and a 33.3% reduction in burglary (from 6 to 4). These declines may reflect the impact of seasonal transitions, as shorter evenings and reduced social gatherings in public spaces could contribute to lower incidents of anti-social behaviour. Conversely, the data reveals sharp increases in specific categories: drugs offences surged by 700% (from 1 to 8), vehicle crime rose by 400% (from 2 to 10), and theft from the person doubled (from 1 to 3). The dramatic rise in drugs offences may be linked to the start of university term in Oxford, with increased student activity contributing to higher drug-related incidents. Vehicle crime's fourfold increase could be connected to the influx of new students arriving by car. The rate of violence and sexual offences (2.4 per 1,000) was 12% below the UK average, suggesting that while violent crime remains a concern, local interventions may be effectively mitigating its severity. For residents, the 16.4% increase in overall crime rate from August (4.2 to 4.9 per 1,000) highlights the need for continued vigilance, particularly around vehicle security and awareness of drug-related activities in local areas.

Didcot's crime rate in September 2023 (4.9 per 1,000) represents a 16.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.2, but remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 175 crimes were reported across Didcot's population of 35,751, translating to roughly 6 crimes per day—a local figure that does not compare directly to UK-wide daily statistics. On a monthly basis, this equates to 1 reported crime for every 204 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of crime in relation to the local population. While this monthly exposure rate is relatively low, the 16.4% increase from August suggests that crime prevention efforts may need to be recalibrated. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Didcot's residents face a crime risk significantly lower than the national average, with most categories—such as anti-social behaviour (55% below UK average) and burglary (69% below)—highlighting the area's comparative safety. However, the rise in vehicle crime and drugs offences underscores the importance of targeted strategies for these specific categories. For residents, understanding these figures in context—both locally and nationally—can inform community safety initiatives and personal preparedness measures.