Watlington (South Oxfordshire) Crime Rate

Watlington (South Oxfordshire) maintains a strong safety profile with an overall crime rate of 63.2 per 1,000 residents. This performance is notably better than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to a solid safety score of 84/100. Compared to the national average safety score of 78, Watlington is a secure choice for residents and businesses. The crime trend is currently stable, showing a 5.0% change year-over-year. As a key settlement in South Oxfordshire, Watlington experiences more activity than its very small neighbouring hamlets, but it remains a low-crime area in a national context. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, trends, and time-specific data.

Crime Breakdown in Watlington (South Oxfordshire)

The crime profile of Watlington is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.2% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by other theft (11.3%) and a combined group of criminal damage, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour, each at 7.5%. Property crime—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—has a combined rate of 21.5 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK average of 32.9. While burglary itself is very low at 1.2 per 1,000, the prevalence of other theft and vehicle crime (5.7%) suggests that residents should focus on securing personal belongings and vehicles. Overall, Watlington remains a safe area where the majority of crime is non-property related.

Crime Trends in Watlington (South Oxfordshire)

The annual crime trend for Watlington is stable, with a 5.0% increase year-over-year. Monthly data shows a fluctuating pattern; crime rates were highest in June 2025 (9.5 per 1,000) and March 2025 (7.8), while the lowest point occurred in September 2025 (1.8). Other months, such as December 2024 and September 2025, recorded very low rates, suggesting that crime is not consistently high but occurs in sporadic bursts. For residents, this stability is reassuring, indicating that despite occasional spikes, the area maintains a consistent safety profile over the long term.

How To Keep Safe in Watlington (South Oxfordshire)

The highest crime category in Watlington is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly half of all incidents. To stay safe in the area, consider the following recommendations:

1. Be mindful of personal safety when out in the evening, particularly in more secluded parts of the town, and try to walk with others where possible.
2. Secure all personal belongings, especially in public spaces, as 'other theft' is the second most common crime type in the area.
3. Protect your vehicle by parking in well-lit areas and ensuring all windows are closed and doors are locked, particularly at night when vehicle crime peaks.
4. Report any anti-social behaviour to the local police to help them identify hotspots and manage public order effectively.
5. Consider installing smart doorbell cameras or boundary lighting to provide an extra layer of security and deter opportunistic theft from your property.

Watlington (South Oxfordshire) Time Patterns

Crime in Watlington shows significant temporal variation. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is the most active period for theft, accounting for 73% of offences in that timeframe. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) also see high theft activity at 66%. Conversely, the night-time (12am - 6am) is the peak period for vehicle crime, which represents 48% of all crimes during those hours. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a mix of vehicle crime (21%) and theft (37%). Burglary is most likely in the night (12%) and evening (11%). This data suggests that while theft is a daytime and afternoon concern, vehicle-related offences are a much higher risk during the hours of darkness.

When compared to its immediate surroundings, Watlington is the most active settlement. Nearby areas such as Pyrton, Lewknor, Ewelme, and Aston Rowant all recorded a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 residents. This contrast highlights Watlington's role as a local hub with a population of 1,678, naturally leading to more recorded incidents than the smaller, zero-crime hamlets. However, even with this higher local activity, Watlington's rate of 63.2 remains far below the national average, making it a safe regional centre for those who prefer a more connected community without compromising on security.

Proactive Home Security in Watlington (South Oxfordshire)

Watlington's property crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 is lower than the UK average, but the prevalence of theft and vehicle crime suggests that proactive security is a wise investment. Traditional security systems like basic CCTV or doorbell cameras are reactive; they provide footage of a crime only after it has occurred. For residents who want to prevent crime rather than just record it, a more intelligent approach is needed.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that shifts the focus to proactive protection. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously with multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify potential threats at your property boundary. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond by activating lights and speakers, deterring intruders before they can cause damage or gain entry. In an area like Watlington, where vehicle crime peaks at night, scOS's ability to verify vehicle plates and detect suspicious patterns overnight provides a level of security that traditional recording systems simply cannot match. Investing in scOS means choosing a system that prevents the burglary, rather than one that just provides a video of it.