Henley-on-Thames Crime Rate

Henley-on-Thames is a secure and prestigious market town, as evidenced by its strong safety score of 86/100. The town's overall crime rate is 58.4 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. Recent data from December 2024 to November 2025 indicates a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 17.1% year-over-year. Property crime is also below the national average at 28.6 per 1,000 residents, compared to 32.3. While violence and vehicle crime are the most commonly reported issues, the low rates of burglary highlight Henley-on-Thames as a safe and stable community for its 12,246 residents.

In Henley-on-Thames, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, making up 34.3% of all reports with 245 recorded incidents. Vehicle crime is second at 13.8%, followed by shoplifting at 13.7%. These figures reflect a moderate volume of crime for an urban area, with a significant focus on personal safety, vehicle security, and retail-related offences.

Property-related crime—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and shoplifting—sits at a rate of 28.6 per 1,000 residents. While this is below the UK average of 32.3, it represents a notable risk for the community. Within this category, vehicle crime (99 cases) and shoplifting (98 cases) are the most frequent, particularly in the town's commercial areas and during major events. Burglary is relatively rare, with only 23 incidents recorded in a year, representing a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 people. 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 vehicle crime and shoplifting, which are more common in the town's centre. The town's safety is a defining characteristic, with property crime being lower than the national average.

The crime trend in Henley-on-Thames is positive, with a 17.1% decrease in total crime over the last 12 months. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows the crime rate fluctuating, with a low of 3.0 in October and a peak of 7.2 in July.

Despite the spike in July, the overall trend has been downward, with the year ending at a rate of 5.7 in November. This suggests that while there may be isolated spikes in activity during the summer months, the town generally maintains a low crime volume. For residents, this decreasing trend reinforces Henley-on-Thames's status as a safe place to live. Continued vigilance during the busier summer months is advised, but the long-term data indicates a community that is becoming increasingly secure. The stability of the monthly figures is a strong sign of a safe and well-policed environment.

How To Keep Safe in Henley-on-Thames

Henley-on-Thames is a safe town, but the most prevalent crime type is violence and sexual offences (34.3%). This is often related to domestic or private incidents, but general safety awareness is always good.

• Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 13.8% of local incidents and peaks at night (65%). Always ensure your car is locked, windows are closed, and no valuables are left on display, especially when parked in the town centre.
• Support Local Businesses: With shoplifting being a notable crime type (13.7%), being a vigilant shopper and reporting suspicious behaviour can help local retailers maintain a safe high street.
• Theft Prevention: Other theft accounts for 7.7% of local incidents and is most common in the morning and afternoon. Ensure personal belongings are not left unattended in public spaces.
• Maintain Your Property Boundary: With criminal damage being a notable crime type (7.8%), keeping fences and gates in good repair can deter opportunistic access and clearly define your private space.
• Report ASB: Anti-social behaviour makes up 8.0% of local crime. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps ensure that public spaces like the riverfront remain welcoming for everyone.

Crime in Henley-on-Thames follows a distinct daily cycle. Shoplifting and theft are most frequent in the morning and afternoon, accounting for 38% and 48% 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 is the primary concern, accounting for 65% of all incidents between midnight and 6am. Burglary risks are relatively low but show a slight peak in the afternoon (13%) and evening (10%). 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.

Henley-on-Thames is a safe market town within South Oxfordshire. When compared to nearby settlements, it is significantly more secure than larger urban centres. Its crime rate of 58.4 is higher than smaller neighbours like Lower Shiplake (13.4) and Binfield Heath (40.0). While tiny hamlets like Shiplake and Greenlands report zero crime, Henley 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 high-end amenities, Henley-on-Thames provides an ideal balance of town life and high security.

With a property crime rate of 28.6 per 1,000, Henley-on-Thames is a safe town, but the presence of vehicle crime and shoplifting 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 Henley-on-Thames 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.