Thame Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Thame's crime profile in September 2023 revealed a striking anomaly: a 350% surge in criminal damage and arson, far outpacing other crime types. This unexpected spike contrasts with the area's overall safety, where the 5.7 crimes per 1,000 residents marked a 28.7% deficit against the UK average of 8.0. The most prevalent crime category remained violence and sexual offences (10 incidents, 16.7% of total).5% decline from August's 22 cases. Seasonal factors may have played a role, as September's back-to-school period and university freshers' week could have influenced patterns. Property crimes (32 incidents) dominated the total, with shoplifting (7 cases) and criminal damage (9 cases) forming the core of this category. Anti-social behaviour (7 cases) and other theft (6 cases) also featured prominently, reflecting the area's mixed urban-rural character. The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.7 per 1,000) was 64% lower than Thame's rate, suggesting localised factors may contribute to this category's prominence. Meanwhile, vehicle crime (3 cases) and public order offences (3 cases) fell significantly below UK averages, consistent with Thame's lower population density and more controlled environment compared to major urban centres.

September 2023 saw a dramatic 350% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 2 to 9 incidents. This surge, while unexplained by the data, dwarfs other month-on-month changes and warrants attention. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell sharply by 54.5%, from 22 to 10 cases, a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns as university students returned to campus. Other notable changes include a 300% rise in 'other crime' (from 1 to 4 cases) and a 100% increase in burglary (from 2 to 4 cases). These figures highlight a combination of property crime trends and community dynamics. For context, Thame's rate of 5.7 crimes per 1,000 residents places it significantly below the UK average, with 64% fewer violent crimes and 52% fewer public order offences than the national average. However, the 50% above-average rate for criminal damage and arson underscores the need for targeted local responses. Residents may find the 1-in-176 resident monthly exposure rate (1 crime per 176 residents) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels, though this remains lower than most UK areas.

Thame's September 2023 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents marked a 9.0% increase from August's 5.2 rate. below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that appears modest when compared to larger urban centres but must be contextualised within Thame's population of 10,576. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 176 residents, a ratio that places the area in the lower quartile of UK crime exposure figures. This monthly aggregate suggests that while Thame is not immune to crime, its built-up area within South Oxfordshire likely benefits from lower population density and more controlled environments compared to major cities. The 5.7 rate also reflects a consistent pattern of being 48% below the UK average for anti-social behaviour and 64% below for violent crimes, though the 50% above-average rate for criminal damage and arson highlights a specific vulnerability. These figures, when paired with the 350% month-on-month increase in this category, suggest that localised factors—whether environmental, social, or seasonal—may be influencing specific crime types disproportionately.