Thame Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Thame's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a stark contrast to the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This 51.2% deficit highlights the area's consistently low crime profile, a trend consistent with its character as a built-up area within South Oxfordshire. The breakdown of crimes reveals a mixed picture: violence and sexual offences accounted for 46.5% of all incidents (20 cases), followed by shoplifting (16.3%) and other theft (14.0%). The rate for violence and sexual offences is 33% below the UK average, despite a 66.7% month-on-month increase. This anomaly may be explained by the area's demographics, with fewer transient populations compared to major cities. Shoplifting, though slightly above the UK average (9% higher), remains a smaller proportion of overall crime than in many retail-heavy towns. The seasonal context of May — with its bank holidays and extended evenings — likely contributed to the spike in violence and sexual offences, as outdoor socialising increased. However, the broader trend of lower crime rates compared to the UK persists, reflecting Thame's status as a relatively safe, low-density built-up area.

May 2024 saw a significant 83.3% decrease in 'other crime' incidents, dropping from six to one. This category, which includes crimes like anti-social behaviour, may reflect improved community engagement or heightened awareness during the month's bank holidays. Conversely, vehicle crime rose by 100% (from one to two incidents), possibly linked to increased outdoor activity during longer evenings. The sharp 66.7% increase in violence and sexual offences (from 12 to 20) contrasts with the category's 33% below UK average, suggesting local factors may have influenced this rise. Shoplifting, at 16.3% of all crimes, remained 9% above the UK average, a figure that may tie to Thame's retail presence. Public order offences fell 52% below the UK average, aligning with the area's relatively quiet character compared to larger urban centres.

Thame's crime rate in May 2024 fell to 4.1 per 1,000 residents, a 17.3% drop from April's 4.9 per 1,000. This reduction positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with a crime rate 51.2% below the national average. Daily crime activity averaged roughly one incident per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a steady decline in reported incidents. When scaled to the population, this means one reported crime occurred for every 246 residents over the course of the month — a statistic that contextualises the low frequency of incidents for local residents. The shift from April to May also highlights a broader trend: property crime (19 incidents) now constitutes 44% of all crimes, compared to 40% in April, suggesting a slight realignment in the balance between property and violent crime. This change may partly explain why violent crime. (from 12 to 20 incidents), remains 33% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences.