South Oxfordshire Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

South Oxfordshire’s crime rate in February 2026 remained 42.2% below the UK average, with 3.7 crimes per 1,000 residents. This places the area significantly ahead of the national picture, a trend consistent with its generally low crime profile. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (41.1% of total incidents), criminal damage and arson (11.5%), and shoplifting (9.4%). These figures reflect the area’s mix of rural and suburban landscapes, where property crimes are less prevalent compared to densely populated urban centres. The dominance of violent crime may be attributed to the local population structure, with a higher proportion of younger residents in some areas contributing to higher rates of assault and sexual offences. However, South Oxfordshire’s rates for property-related crimes are lower than the UK average, with shoplifting at 0.4 per 1,000 (31% below UK levels) and vehicle crime at 0.1 per 1,000 (71% below UK). This contrast suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, the area’s infrastructure—such as well-lit public spaces and community policing initiatives—likely contributes to lower rates of property crime. February’s winter conditions, with reduced daylight and lower outdoor activity, may have also played a role in dampening opportunities for theft and burglary, though the sharp increase in theft from the person indicates that targeted crimes can still occur even in low-crime areas. The seasonal context of February—a month typically marked by colder weather and fewer social events—may have influenced the overall crime picture, with some categories showing volatility while others remained stable.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with theft from the person increasing by 100% compared to the previous month, marking a sharp rise in this category. This spike, though small in absolute terms (just two incidents), may reflect heightened vulnerability during winter evenings or targeted opportunism in low-traffic areas. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 48.4% (from 31 to 16), a decline consistent with seasonal trends as colder weather reduces outdoor activity and potential theft opportunities. The category of criminal damage and arson also rose by 50%, reaching 66 incidents, which is 13% below the UK average but still higher than the previous month’s 44. This increase may be linked to local factors such as increased anti-social behaviour during winter months. Meanwhile, bicycle theft dropped by 80%, likely due to reduced commuting activity and fewer cyclists on the roads during February. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in the area, with some categories responding strongly to seasonal rhythms while others remain relatively stable.

South Oxfordshire's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 3.7 per 1,000 residents, a 2.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.8. This small decline aligns with seasonal trends, as February typically sees reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull in crime. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 20 crimes per day, a figure that, while consistent with recent months, remains well below the UK average. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 273 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area’s relatively low overall crime levels. When scaled to the local population of 156,470, this translates to a manageable burden on policing resources, though the sharp increase in theft from the person (+100%) suggests localized vulnerabilities that may require targeted intervention. The comparison to the UK average underscores South Oxfordshire’s position as a safer area, but the fluctuating nature of specific crime types highlights the need for ongoing monitoring.