Henley-on-Thames Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 12,246 residents, 60 reported crimes in January 2024 translate to 4.9 incidents per 1,000 people — a figure 33.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This reflects Henley-on-Thames’ position as a relatively low-crime area, likely shaped by its character as a historic market town with a strong sense of community. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (19 cases, 31.7% of total), anti-social behaviour (13 cases, 21.7%), and other theft (10 cases, 16.7%). These patterns align with the area’s mix of residential streets, local businesses, and public spaces. Seasonal factors may partly explain the lower-than-average crime rate: January’s short days and post-holiday lull in retail activity typically reduce opportunities for shoplifting and theft from the person. However, the breakdown shows some notable deviations from UK norms. Violence and sexual offences in Henley were 38% below the UK average, consistent with the town’s low population density and limited nightlife. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average in other months, rose sharply in January, possibly linked to colder weather driving more indoor gatherings. The data suggests a balance between community cohesion and the challenges of managing local tensions in a small, close-knit environment.

January 2024 saw sharp increases in several crime categories, including anti-social behaviour (160% rise from December, 5 to 13 cases), criminal damage and arson (400% increase, 1 to 5 cases), and bicycle theft (100% rise, 0 to 1 case). These jumps contrast with declines in burglary (-80%, 5 to 1 case), drugs offences (-75%, 4 to 1 case), and public order offences (-50%, 4 to 2 cases). The most significant shift was in anti-social behaviour, which now accounts for 21.7% of total crimes — an 11% increase above the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000. This may reflect the impact of colder weather on social dynamics, with more indoor gatherings potentially increasing disputes. Violence and sexual offences remained lower than the UK average (1.6 per 1,000 vs. 2.6 per 1,000), suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. Other theft (10 cases) was 40% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), linked to the town’s mix of independent shops and residential areas. Residents might find the 160% increase in anti-social behaviour particularly concerning, given its direct impact on daily life in a small community.

The crime rate in January 2024 (4.9 per 1,000) marked a 22.1% decrease from December’s rate of 6.3 per 1,000, reflecting a significant seasonal shift. Over the course of the month, this translated to roughly 2 reported crimes per day — a figure that, while low, highlights the persistent nature of local issues. On a population scale, one crime occurred for every 204 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents in a town of 12,246 people. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it contextualises crime as a rare but not absent aspect of daily life. The drop from December may be attributed to January’s typical post-holiday lull, with fewer visitors and reduced retail activity lowering opportunities for theft. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage suggests that other factors, such as colder weather or social isolation, may have influenced crime patterns. When compared to the UK average, Henley’s overall rate remains lower, but specific categories like anti-social behaviour and other theft show more mixed results, indicating the need for targeted local strategies to address emerging trends.