South Oxfordshire Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in South Oxfordshire, 4.1 crimes were reported in October 2023 — a figure 48.8% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This relatively low rate translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 246 residents, suggesting a safer environment than the national average. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.6% of all reported incidents (283 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (8.7%) and other theft (8.2%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for these categories, where violence and sexual offences are 33% higher and anti-social behaviour 69% higher. Seasonal factors may influence patterns: shorter daylight hours in October, combined with Halloween activities, could contribute to increased shoplifting and public order incidents. The area's character — likely a mix of rural and suburban landscapes with limited nightlife — may explain the lower prevalence of vehicle crime and burglary compared to densely populated urban centres. Violent crime rates remain lower than UK averages, consistent with the area's lower population density and stronger community cohesion. While property crimes make up 34.6% of total incidents, violent crimes dominate the crime picture, reflecting local dynamics that differ from the national profile.

October 2023 saw a 46.4% increase in shoplifting compared to September, rising from 28 to 41 incidents. This surge aligns with seasonal factors such as Halloween, when retail premises face heightened risks from opportunistic theft. Meanwhile, burglary rates dropped 47.7% (from 44 to 23 cases), a decline likely linked to reduced outdoor activity during colder evenings and improved security measures in residential areas. Drug-related crimes fell 51.9% (from 27 to 13 cases), possibly reflecting tighter local enforcement or seasonal shifts in illicit activity. The crime mix shows a clear skew toward violent offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 44.6% of all incidents — significantly higher than the UK average for this category (33% of total crimes). Anti-social behaviour remains 69% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or lower concentrations of problem areas. A resident would find the 4.1 per 1,000 crime rate useful context: this equates to a 0.4% chance of experiencing a crime in a given month, lower than the UK average of 0.8%.

South Oxfordshire's October 2023 crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents represents a 10.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.5 per 1,000, indicating a recent downward trend. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 20 crimes reported each day — a figure that, while non-trivial, remains well below the UK average of 16 crimes per day (based on 8.0 per 1,000). The monthly exposure statistic — one crime per 246 residents — underscores the relatively low risk faced by individuals in this area compared to the national average of one crime per 125 residents. This disparity is amplified when considering the population context: South Oxfordshire's 156,470 residents experience crime at a rate 48.8% lower than the UK average, suggesting a combination of geographic factors (such as lower population density) and possibly stronger local community engagement. The area's crime profile diverges from the UK average in several key ways: violence and sexual offences make up 44.6% of total incidents (versus 33% nationally), while anti-social behaviour is 69% below the UK average. These differences may reflect the area's mix of rural and suburban environments, where community policing efforts and lower concentrations of nightlife contribute to a distinct crime profile.