Didcot Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

January 2026 marked an unexpected shift in Didcot’s crime profile, with 'Other crime' surging by 1000% to become the most rapidly growing category. This anomaly stands in stark contrast to the area’s overall performance, which remained 25% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000 residents. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (37.6% of total incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (10.5%) and other theft (9.9%). These figures align with Didcot’s character as a built-up area within South Oxfordshire, where a mix of residential and commercial zones may influence crime patterns. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday lulls, reduced retail footfall, and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the decline in violent crime, which fell by 22.7% compared to the previous month. However, the explosive rise in 'Other crime' defies easy explanation, possibly reflecting unreported or underclassified incidents. Anti-social behaviour remained 46% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be attributed to the area’s community-focused policing strategies and lower population density. Meanwhile, property crimes such as shoplifting (9.4% of total) and burglary (2.2%) were both below UK averages, suggesting that Didcot’s built-up nature and proximity to Oxfordshire’s more rural areas create a unique crime profile. The interplay of these factors—seasonal trends, local governance, and demographic characteristics—illustrates a town with a generally low crime rate, though the sudden surge in 'Other crime' deserves closer attention in future analyses.

The most striking change in January 2026 was the 1000% increase in 'Other crime,' rising from 1 to 11 incidents. This category, which includes unclassified or less frequent offences, now sits 87% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the previous month. Bicycle theft also saw a dramatic 500% rise, jumping from 1 to 6 incidents, placing it 300% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. These spikes may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased outdoor activity during daylight hours or the return of students to the area. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 22.7%, from 88 to 68, a decline that aligns with the post-holiday period and shorter winter days reducing opportunities for such crimes. Burglary also rose by 100%, though it remains 64% below the UK average. This mixed picture underscores the complexity of crime trends, where some categories surge while others decline in response to local and national dynamics.

Didcot's crime rate in January 2026 remained stable compared to December, rising just 1.6% from 5.0 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents. This slight increase, however, is dwarfed by the area’s consistent performance relative to the UK average, which stood at 6.8 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 6 incidents per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 198 residents over the course of the month. When viewed through the lens of population, this suggests a relatively low level of exposure to crime compared to national benchmarks. The most striking contrast lies in categories such as anti-social behaviour, which was 46% below the UK average, and burglary, which was 64% below the national rate. These figures highlight Didcot’s unique position as a built-up area within South Oxfordshire, where community-focused policing and the town’s quieter, less densely populated character may contribute to lower rates of certain crimes. While the overall rate shows minimal month-on-month change, the population-scaled perspective reinforces the area’s broader safety profile relative to the UK as a whole.