Wallingford Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Wallingford's crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents in September 2025 places it 33.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This built-up area within South Oxfordshire exhibits a distinct crime profile shaped by its character as a historic market town with a mix of residential and retail spaces. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.5% of all crimes, a category where Wallingford's rate of 2.0 per 1,000 is 22% below the UK average. The balance between property and violent crime is skewed, with property crimes (17) and violent crimes (17) each contributing equally to the total. This parity may reflect the town's dual role as a commuter hub and a destination for leisure activities, where interactions between residents and visitors could drive both categories. Seasonal context also plays a role: as September marks the start of the academic year, the influx of students and schoolchildren may contribute to increased violence and anti-social behaviour, though these trends are offset by lower rates in categories like burglary and theft from the person. The town's relatively low overall crime rate suggests a combination of effective community policing, strong local engagement, and the physical layout of its streets, which may limit opportunities for certain crimes. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting—a 600% increase from August—raises questions about whether seasonal factors such as the start of term or changes in retail patterns are influencing this category.

September 2025 saw dramatic shifts in Wallingford's crime profile. Shoplifting surged by 600%, rising from 1 to 7 incidents, a jump that may reflect the opening of new retail outlets or increased foot traffic during the academic term. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson doubled from 4 to 8 cases, potentially linked to the same seasonal pressures or local events. Anti-social behaviour also increased by 16.7%, though this remains below the UK average for the category. Conversely, other theft and burglary both fell sharply, with other theft dropping 75% (from 4 to 1) and burglary halving (from 2 to 1). These decreases may indicate successful targeted interventions or natural fluctuations in criminal opportunity. The town's performance against the UK average reveals mixed trends: while violence and sexual offences remain 22% below the national rate, criminal damage and arson are 70% above the UK average. This divergence highlights the unique challenges Wallingford faces, with property-related crimes like shoplifting and criminal damage affecting the area compared to the broader UK context. For residents, the most immediately relevant change is the 600% spike in shoplifting, which could prompt increased vigilance in local stores or adjustments to retail security measures.

Wallingford's crime rate in September 2025 rose by 19.9% compared to August's 4.1 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 205 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable towns. On a daily basis, Wallingford experienced approximately one crime per day, a figure that may seem high in absolute terms but translates to a relatively low risk when scaled against the town's population of 8,606. This daily context suggests that while the town is not immune to crime, its overall environment—perhaps bolstered by community cohesion and the presence of local institutions—limits the frequency of incidents. The comparison to the UK average also reveals a broader pattern: while Wallingford's violent crime rate is 22% below the national figure, its property crime rates for shoplifting and criminal damage are significantly higher. This contrast may be attributed to Wallingford's specific economic and social dynamics, such as the concentration of retail spaces or the transient nature of certain populations during the academic year. For residents, the monthly exposure rate of 1-in-205 provides a concrete measure of risk, contextualising the 42 total crimes reported in September as a manageable challenge rather than an alarming trend.