Wallingford Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Wallingford’s crime profile in March 2023 reflected a continued trend of lower-than-average rates, particularly in property-related offences. The overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents placed the area 26.3% below the UK average, a figure that has likely been influenced by seasonal factors and the area’s character as a smaller, built-up community within South Oxfordshire. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.7% of the total, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.5%) and public order offences (10.4%). While these figures may seem concerning, they are lower than the UK averages for each category—violence and sexual offences were 16% below the national rate, anti-social behaviour 33% below, and public order offences 6% below. This discrepancy could be attributed to a combination of local policing efforts, the area’s relatively low population density, and the influence of seasonal changes. As March marks the transition to spring, the lengthening evenings may have contributed to an increase in violent crimes, but the overall rates remain significantly lower than the UK average. The breakdown also revealed a marked underrepresentation of property crimes compared to the national trend, with burglary and shoplifting rates 70% and 59% below the UK average respectively. This may be linked to the area’s built-up nature, which could limit opportunities for burglary, or the presence of community initiatives that deter such crimes. Meanwhile, the slight increase in bicycle theft (43% above the UK average) may reflect local patterns, such as the presence of commuter cyclists or the popularity of cycling infrastructure. These findings illustrate the combination of local demographics, policing strategies, and seasonal factors that shape Wallingford’s crime profile, offering a nuanced picture of an area that, despite its proximity to larger urban centres, maintains a comparatively low crime rate.

March 2023 saw a marked decline in several crime categories compared to the UK average, most in burglary (70% below) and shoplifting (59% below). This contrasts with the relatively higher rate of bicycle theft, which was 43% above the UK average—a figure that may reflect local demographics or infrastructure, such as the presence of cycling lanes or commuter activity. The breakdown of crimes also revealed a shift in the balance between property and violent crimes, with violent crimes comprising 41.7% of the total, compared to property crimes at 31.3%. This suggests a greater emphasis on addressing violent crime in the area, though the UK average for violence and sexual offences is itself 16% lower than the national figure. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the sustained low rate of burglary, which could be attributed to effective community policing or the physical characteristics of the built-up area, such as tightly knit neighbourhoods or limited commercial spaces that reduce opportunities for such crimes.

Wallingford’s crime rate in March 2023 remained consistently lower than the UK average, with 5.6 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 7.6. This translates to one reported crime for roughly every 179 residents over the course of the month, a statistic that highlights the relatively low exposure to crime in this built-up area. On a daily basis, the local figure of 2 crimes per day is a stark contrast to the broader UK context, where higher population density and urban centres typically see more frequent reporting. When scaled to Wallingford’s population of 8,606, the monthly exposure of 1 in 179 residents underscores the area’s comparative safety. This is particularly notable in categories such as burglary and shoplifting, where rates are 70% and 59% below the UK average respectively. These figures suggest that local factors—such as community engagement, policing strategies, or the area’s character as a smaller, more cohesive built-up area—may contribute to the sustained reduction in crime relative to national trends.