Henley-on-Thames Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Henley-on-Thames continues to demonstrate a crime profile markedly different from the UK average, with a recorded crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents in April 2025 — 54.5% below the national figure of 7.7. This small built-up area within South Oxfordshire, known for its historic charm and affluent residential character, maintains a crime picture shaped by its unique demographic and geographic context. The top three crime categories accounted for 58.9% of all incidents: violence and sexual offences (25.6%), shoplifting (18.6%), and criminal damage and arson (14.0%). While violence and sexual offences remain the most common category, they are 66% below the UK average, consistent with the area's low levels of violent crime typically observed in commuter towns and market towns. The slight increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average (0.7 vs 0.7 per 1,000) may partly explain seasonal factors, as Easter weekend activity and spring tourism could temporarily elevate retail-related incidents. April's spring weather, with longer daylight hours and increased outdoor activity, likely contributes to the overall crime pattern, though the area's strong community policing and low population density (12,246 residents) appear to sustain its historically low crime rates compared to larger urban centres.

April 2025 saw a notable 50.0% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 4 to 6 incidents. This shift contrasts with decreases in public order offences (-66.7%), burglary (-50.0%), and bicycle theft (-50.0%), suggesting a reallocation of criminal activity during the Easter period. The area's violent crime rate (0.9 per 1,000) remains 66% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), a figure that aligns with Henley-on-Thames' reputation as a relatively safe community. However, shoplifting rates (0.7 per 1,000) slightly exceed the UK average (0.7 per 1,000), indicating a small but measurable discrepancy in retail crime trends. For residents, the 50% reduction in burglary cases compared to March 2025 may offer reassurance, though the increase in property damage could signal seasonal pressures on local infrastructure. The breakdown also reveals that anti-social behaviour (0.3 per 1,000) is 77% below the UK average, reinforcing the area's generally low levels of disruptive incidents despite its proximity to Oxford and Thames Valley commuter routes.

The crime rate in Henley-on-Thames fell by 36.8% month-on-month, dropping from 5.6 per 1,000 in March 2025 to 3.5 per 1,000 in April 2025. This decline places the area's current rate among the lowest in the UK, with only 1 crime reported per day on average — a figure that translates to roughly one incident for every 285 residents over the course of the month. When compared to the UK average, this represents a stark contrast, as Henley-on-Thames' population of 12,246 residents experiences crime at a rate less than half that of the national average. The monthly exposure metric (1-in-285 residents) provides a tangible perspective for residents, illustrating the low probability of encountering crime in daily life. This is further amplified by the area's demographic profile: a largely affluent, low-density community with limited nightlife and minimal industrial activity, factors that typically correlate with lower crime rates. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies, as the area's crime prevention efforts appear to maintain consistently low levels despite seasonal fluctuations, such as the Easter period's increased foot traffic and outdoor activity.