Didcot Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Didcot's crime profile in January 2024, accounting for 44.5% of all reported crimes. At 3.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, Didcot's overall crime rate remained 48.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends highlights the area's unique character as a built-up district within South Oxfordshire, where the mix of residential and commercial zones may contribute to lower crime exposure. Seasonal patterns also played a role, with the post-holiday period likely influencing reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor crimes typical of shorter winter days. Despite this, the area's violent crime rate of 1.7 per 1,000 (44.5% of total crimes) is 35% below the UK average for the category, suggesting community factors or local policing efforts may be effective. Property crimes, which make up 33.6% of all incidents, were also significantly lower than national rates, with vehicle crime at 0.4 per 1,000 (20% below UK average) and anti-social behaviour at 0.2 per 1,000 (80% below UK average). This suggests Didcot's urban fabric, which includes industrial estates and commuter corridors, may be structured in ways that limit opportunities for certain crime types. However, the sharp rise in 'Other crime'—a category encompassing a range of non-specific incidents—raises questions about how these incidents are being reported or categorised in the current system.

January 2024 saw three significant spikes in crime categories: 'Other crime' rose by 166.7% (3 to 8 incidents), vehicle crime surged by 160% (5 to 13), and burglary increased by 150% (2 to 5). These jumps contrast with declines in other areas, including an 80% drop in drug-related incidents (5 to 1) and a 66.7% reduction in other thefts (21 to 7). The rise in 'Other crime'—a broad category that may include unclassified incidents or new reporting practices—could indicate either increased problem-solving by residents or shifts in how police categorise certain offences. Vehicle crime in Didcot remains 20% below the UK average (0.4 vs 0.5 per 1,000), suggesting local factors such as secure parking infrastructure or lower traffic density may be protective. Meanwhile, the 80% decline in anti-social behaviour (15 to 8) may reflect the impact of winter weather limiting public gatherings or improved community engagement efforts. The sharp increase in 'Other crime' is particularly noteworthy for residents, as this category often includes unclassified incidents that may require closer attention from local authorities to ensure accurate reporting and appropriate responses.

Didcot's crime rate remained stable at 3.8 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency is reflected in the daily crime count of 4 incidents per day, a figure that places Didcot among the lowest-risk built-up areas in the UK. Over the course of the month, 1 crime was reported for every 261 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. When considering population context, Didcot's 35,751 residents face a crime risk that is 48.6% below the national average, a disparity that may be attributed to the area's mix of residential, industrial, and commuter-focused land uses. The daily crime figure of 4 incidents is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of the local risk profile—equivalent to a 1-in-261 chance of being involved in a reported crime over a 31-day period. This low frequency, combined with the area's 80% below-average anti-social behaviour rate, suggests that Didcot's built environment and community structures may be effective in mitigating crime opportunities, even as certain categories like 'Other crime' show unexpected increases.