Henley-on-Thames Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 saw Henley-on-Thames record a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, a figure that places the area 17.2% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This relatively low rate is consistent with the town’s historical profile as a safer-than-average built-up area within South Oxfordshire, though the month’s data reveals some unexpected trends. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most significant category, accounting for 44.6% of all crimes, with a rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure, while slightly above the UK average for this category (2.3 per 1,000), is arguably influenced by the town’s character as a hub for local events and community gatherings that may contribute to higher rates of alcohol-fueled incidents. Public order offences, though not typically a dominant category in Henley-on-Thames, rose sharply by 133.3% month-on-month, suggesting a possible link to seasonal factors such as the transition from winter to spring, which could bring increased social activity. The overall crime rate, however, remains consistent with the area’s seasonal context: February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, typically sees lower crime levels. This year’s data, however, shows a slight deviation in public order trends, which may warrant further observation in subsequent months. Property-related crimes, including burglary and shoplifting, accounted for 32.3% of all incidents, but these rates remain below the UK average, reinforcing the area’s status as a low-crime commuter town. The absence of significant spikes in vehicle crime or drug-related offences further supports this pattern, though the 100% increase in drugs-related incidents from zero to two cases raises questions about whether this reflects a temporary anomaly or a shift in local policing priorities.

Public order offences saw the most dramatic increase in February 2026, rising by 133.3% from 3 to 7 incidents—a shift that contrasts sharply with the 37.5% decline in shoplifting, which fell from 8 to 5 cases. This divergence in crime trends highlights a notable shift in the local crime mix, with property-related crimes decreasing while violent and public order offences increased. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 44.6% of all crimes, making them the most prevalent category, and these incidents occurred at a rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents, 3% above the UK average. Conversely, shoplifting and other theft crimes were significantly below the national average, with shoplifting at 0.4 per 1,000 (31% below UK levels) and other theft at 0.3 per 1,000 (29% below). This pattern may reflect Henley-on-Thames’ character as a historically low-crime commuter town, where retail theft is less common but public order issues—potentially tied to local events or seasonal shifts—have risen unexpectedly.

Henley-on-Thames recorded a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents in February 2026, marking a 27.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.2 per 1,000. This rise, though significant, remains 17.2% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day over the 28-day period, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 188 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in Henley-on-Thames compared to the national average. The population context further highlights that, despite the 27.6% month-on-month increase, the total number of crimes (65) remains modest in relation to the area’s 12,246 residents. This suggests that while local crime patterns may fluctuate, the overall risk to individuals remains low, consistent with the area’s historical position as a safer-than-average town within South Oxfordshire.