Wallingford Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Wallingford's built-up area recorded a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents in November 2023, placing it 42.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This relatively low rate aligns with the characteristics of a small, low-density urban centre within South Oxfordshire, where community policing and limited commercial activity may contribute to reduced crime opportunities. The most prevalent category of crime was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.4% of all incidents (12 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (18.9%, 7 cases) and other theft (8.1%, 3 cases). Seasonal factors such as the transition to darker evenings, the proximity of Bonfire Night, and the Black Friday shopping period likely influenced the types of incidents reported. For instance, the lower rate of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) may reflect the area's limited commuter traffic and fewer high-traffic parking zones. Similarly, the absence of significant spikes in shoplifting—82% below the UK average—suggests that the town's retail presence is modest compared to larger urban centres. The overall crime profile illustrates a balance between routine community interactions and the occasional spike in less common offence categories, with no single factor dominating the data. This pattern is consistent with a small town where localised issues may be more visible but overall crime levels remain stable.

November 2023 saw three crime categories surge by 100% compared to October: 'other crime', 'vehicle crime', and 'drugs', each rising from zero to two incidents. This dramatic increase in 'other crime'—which includes unclassified or minor offences—marks a stark departure from the previous month's data. Meanwhile, 'public order' offences fell by 57.1%, dropping from seven to three incidents, a decline consistent with the reduced visibility of crowds during darker evenings. Violence and sexual offences, at 12 incidents, remained 46% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The absence of significant spikes in property crime or burglary contrasts with the sharp rise in 'other crime', suggesting a shift in the nature of incidents reported. For residents, the surge in 'other crime' highlights the importance of vigilance in less monitored public spaces, particularly as seasonal events like Bonfire Night may draw transient crowds.

Wallingford's crime rate in November 2023 rose by 27.6% compared to the previous month, climbing from 3.4 to 4.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though notable, remains 42.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 30-day period, reflecting a low but consistent level of activity. When scaled to the local population, this equates to one reported crime occurring for every 233 residents during the month, underscoring the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. The shift from October to November aligns with seasonal factors such as shorter evenings and the Black Friday shopping period, which may contribute to altered patterns in retail-related crime. However, the overall rate remains well within the bounds of a typically low-crime built-up area, suggesting that local policing and community initiatives continue to exert a stabilising influence.