South Oxfordshire Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In June 2023, South Oxfordshire’s crime profile showed a clear dominance of violent over property crime, a pattern that may reflect the area’s mix of rural and semi-urban characteristics. The overall crime rate stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 48.2% below the UK average of 8.5. This significant gap highlights the relative safety of the district compared to national trends, though local conditions—such as lower population density and community-focused policing—may contribute to this disparity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.4% of all reported crimes, with 296 incidents recorded, while property crimes followed at 233. This imbalance between violent and property crime could indicate that personal safety concerns, rather than theft or burglary, are the primary focus for local authorities and residents. Seasonal factors may also play a role, as June marks the start of summer, when increased outdoor activity and tourism in nearby coastal areas could influence crime patterns. However, the data does not show a direct link to tourism in South Oxfordshire itself, which is more rural and less reliant on seasonal visitor numbers. The relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour (11.3% of total crimes) and public order offences (7.5%) further suggest a community environment where social tensions are less pronounced compared to more densely populated urban areas. While the overall rate is low, the concentration of violent crime—particularly in the violence and sexual offences category—remains a notable concern, with this category itself 35% below the UK average. This suggests that while South Oxfordshire is generally safer than the UK average, targeted efforts may still be needed to address the specific risks associated with violent crime in the area.

June 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with increases in robbery (+50.0%), bicycle theft (+37.5%), and violence and sexual offences (+16.1%) compared to May. These rises, particularly in violent crime, may reflect seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity during the summer months. Conversely, vehicle crime decreased by 38.3% (60 → 37), due to fewer car-related incidents during warmer weather or changes in commuter patterns. Shoplifting also fell by 27.8% (36 → 26), a trend that could be linked to reduced retail footfall or improved store security measures. The dominance of violent crime over property crime in the monthly breakdown is striking, with violence and sexual offences making up nearly half of all incidents. This contrasts with the UK average, where violent crime typically accounts for around 35% of total reported crimes. South Oxfordshire’s violence and sexual offences rate (1.9 per 1,000) is itself 35% below the UK average, indicating that while the category is growing, it remains relatively low compared to national benchmarks. For residents, the most immediate concern may be the 16.1% increase in violence and sexual offences, which suggests a need for continued vigilance in public spaces, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or community events.

South Oxfordshire’s crime rate in June 2023 (4.4 per 1,000) marked a slight decline of 2.2% compared to the previous month’s rate of 4.5. This small reduction, while not statistically significant on its own, aligns with broader seasonal patterns often seen in low-density areas where crime tends to fluctuate more modestly than in urban centres. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 23 crimes per day in June, a figure that, when considered in context, reflects the district’s relatively low overall crime rate. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 229 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of crime in this part of Oxfordshire. When scaled to the area’s population of 156,470, this means that the vast majority of residents—over 95%—did not experience any crime in June. However, the 4.4 per 1,000 rate, while significantly below the UK average, still requires contextual understanding: it equates to roughly 682 total crimes for a population of just under 157,000. This highlights the importance of considering both absolute numbers and relative comparisons when assessing local safety. For residents, the data suggests that while the likelihood of being a victim is low, the concentration of violent crime—particularly in the violence and sexual offences category—remains a specific area of focus for community safety initiatives.