Henley-on-Thames Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Henley-on-Thames' crime profile in July 2023, accounting for 39.1% of all reported crimes. At 34 incidents, this category alone exceeded the combined total of all other crime types, underscoring its role as the primary driver of reported crime in the area. The overall crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents placed Henley-on-Thames 14.5% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, a consistent position that reflects the town's character as a relatively low-crime commuter and tourist hub. This pattern is reinforced by the stark contrast between local rates and national benchmarks: anti-social behaviour, for instance, was 37% below the UK average, while burglary and vehicle crime were 70% and 17% below respectively. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and a surge in tourism—likely contributed to the prominence of violence and public order offences, which often rise with increased social interactions in public spaces. This aligns with broader patterns observed in similar towns, where the convergence of leisure activities and transient populations can amplify certain crime types. The town's low burglary rates may be attributed to its compact built-up area and the presence of secure housing stock, while the relatively high rate of public order offences could partly reflect the challenges of managing crowds during festivals and events.

July 2023 saw a dramatic 225% increase in public order offences, rising from 4 to 13 incidents. This surge aligns with the town's seasonal rhythm, as summer festivals and outdoor events likely intensified interactions in public spaces. Concurrently, drug-related offences and 'other crime' categories both doubled from zero to one incident each, marking a stark departure from previous months. These increases contrast with notable declines in property crimes, including a 66.7% reduction in burglary and shoplifting cases. The town's violent crime category, comprising 34 incidents, remains 1% above the UK average for violence and sexual offences, though this figure is offset by significantly lower rates in categories like burglary (70% below UK average) and vehicle crime (17% below). For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the spike in public order offences, which may reflect the challenges of managing increased foot traffic during peak tourist season.

Henley-on-Thames' crime rate in July 2023 rose by 19.1% compared to June 2023, moving from 6.0 to 7.1 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, reflects shifting patterns in local activity. On a daily basis, 3 crimes were reported each day in July, a figure that translates to roughly 1 reported crime for every 141 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate situates the area within a broader context of community safety, where the density of incidents remains relatively low compared to national averages. The population-scaled perspective shows that Henley-on-Thames, with its 12,246 residents, maintains a crime profile that is 14.5% below the UK average. This consistency with broader trends suggests that local factors—such as seasonal events and tourism—play a more significant role than demographic shifts in shaping crime statistics.