South Oxfordshire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

January 2026 marked a nuanced shift in South Oxfordshire's crime profile, with the overall rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents remaining 42.4% below the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000. This continued disparity underscores the area's distinct character as a low-crime, predominantly suburban district with limited urban density. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences (248 cases, 42.2% of total).6 per 1,000 was 34% below the UK average. The second most common crime was other theft (55 cases, 9.4% of total), with a rate of 0.4 per 1,000—11% below national levels. Seasonal factors likely influenced these patterns, as January's post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may curtail opportunities for shoplifting and public order offences. However, the sharp rise in bicycle theft (400% increase) suggests vulnerabilities in securing personal property during colder months. The area's anti-social behaviour rate (0.3 per 1,000) was 67% below the UK average, consistent with the character of a largely residential, low-density region where community cohesion may temper disruptive behaviour. Despite the 12.2% month-on-month increase, South Oxfordshire's crime profile remains markedly safer than the UK average, with violent crime rates particularly subdued. This suggests that while localized factors may temporarily elevate specific offence categories, the broader structural safety of the area persists.

The most striking month-on-month change was a 400% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, suggests heightened vulnerability during January's post-holiday period. Conversely, burglary fell by 32.1% (28 to 19 cases), potentially reflecting improved security measures or seasonal factors reducing residential exposure. Violent crimes remained low compared to the UK average, with a rate of 1.6 per 1,000 (34% below the national figure of 2.4 per 1,000). 'other crime' saw an 118.2% increase, rising from 11 to 24 cases—a shift that may indicate evolving patterns in non-specific offences. The area's anti-social behaviour rate (0.3 per 1,000) was 67% below the UK average, reinforcing South Oxfordshire's status as a relatively low-risk environment despite the recent uptick.

South Oxfordshire's crime rate rose by 12.2% in January 2026 compared to December 2025, moving from 3.4 to 3.8 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is modest in absolute terms, it highlights a shift in local patterns against a backdrop of consistently low crime. The daily crime count of 19 incidents per day—equivalent to roughly one crime every 266 residents over the month—places the area firmly in the lower quartile of UK crime statistics. This figure is particularly striking when compared to the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000, with South Oxfordshire maintaining a 42.4% deficit despite the upward trend. The population-scaled perspective reveals that 156,470 residents collectively experienced 588 reported incidents, translating to a monthly exposure rate of 0.37% (1-in-266). This suggests that while the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, the recent rise may reflect seasonal or localized factors influencing crime dynamics.