Chilton (Vale of White Horse) Crime Rate

Chilton (Vale of White Horse) stands out as an exceptionally secure settlement, boasting a safety score of 92/100. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 79, marking the area as one of the safer places to live in the Local Authority. The overall crime rate in Chilton is just 33.5 per 1,000 people, which is remarkably low when compared to the UK national average of 91.7. Although the area has seen a 50.0% increase in crime over the past year, it is important to note that this rise comes from a very low baseline, and the area remains highly safe by all standard metrics. This report explores the specific crime types, monthly trends, and safety comparisons to provide a comprehensive view of Chilton's security environment.

In Chilton (Vale of White Horse), the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 27 recorded incidents over the last year. This represents 42.9% of the total crime in the area. Following this, other theft and criminal damage and arson are the next most common, with 10 incidents each, both representing 15.9% of the local total. These three categories combined make up nearly three-quarters of all criminal reports in the settlement.

Property crime in Chilton is notably low, with a rate of 12.8 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly below the UK average of 32.3. This total includes the 10 cases of other theft and 10 cases of criminal damage already mentioned, alongside 3 vehicle crimes and just 1 recorded burglary. Other categories, such as anti-social behaviour (5 incidents) and public order (3 incidents), contribute smaller numbers to the overall statistics. For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while Chilton is an exceptionally safe environment, the most likely property-related concerns are theft and vandalism rather than forced entry into homes. Maintaining basic security and community awareness remains effective in such a low-crime area.

The crime trend in Chilton (Vale of White Horse) has shown a 50.0% increase year-over-year. While this percentage sounds dramatic, it reflects a small numerical increase in a very low-crime area. The year began with a crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000 in December 2024, reaching a peak of 5.8 in May 2025.

Following this peak, the rate showed a generally downward trend, with several months recording very low activity, such as June, August, and November 2025, all at 1.1 per 1,000 residents. This volatility is typical for smaller settlements where a handful of incidents can significantly sway the monthly statistics. The overall trend suggests that while there was a period of increased activity in the spring of 2025, the area has largely returned to its baseline of being exceptionally safe. Residents should not be alarmed by the percentage increase but should remain aware of the periodic fluctuations in local crime.

How To Keep Safe in Chilton (Vale of White Horse)

The most common crime type in Chilton is violence and sexual offences, though the actual number of incidents is low. To maintain your safety and the security of the village, consider these proactive steps:

1. Maintain Boundary Awareness: Since criminal damage and theft are the most common property-related issues, ensure your property boundaries are well-defined and well-lit. This deters opportunistic vandalism and theft from gardens.
2. Secure Outbuildings: In rural-suburban settings like Chilton, 'other theft' often involves items taken from sheds or garages. Use high-quality padlocks and consider extending your home security system to cover these areas.
3. Report Suspicious Activity: The low crime rate in Chilton depends on community vigilance. Reporting unusual vehicles or individuals to the non-emergency police line can help prevent the small number of crimes that do occur.
4. Vehicle Security: Although vehicle crime is rare, most incidents happen at night. Always remove valuables from your car and ensure it is locked, even when parked on your own driveway.
5. Join Local Groups: Stay connected with local community social media or neighbourhood watch groups to stay informed about any recent trends or safety concerns in the Vale of White Horse area.

Crime in Chilton follows a pattern largely dictated by the area's residential nature. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most prominent concern, accounting for 59% and 66% of reported incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when residents are away from home or engaged in daily activities.

As evening falls, the type of crime shifts significantly toward 'other' offences, which make up 54% of incidents between 6pm and midnight. These often include public order issues or administrative offences. During the night-time hours (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes more proportionately significant, accounting for 33% of the few crimes reported during this period. Criminal damage also remains a steady factor throughout the late evening and night. Residents are encouraged to be most vigilant about vehicle and property perimeter security during these darker hours, despite the overall low volume of crime in the settlement.

Chilton is situated in a particularly quiet part of the Vale of White Horse. When compared to Harwell, which has a crime rate of 71.7 per 1,000, Chilton (33.5) is significantly more peaceful. However, it is surrounded by several hamlets and villages that recorded no crime at all during the same period, including East Hendred, Upton, and West Hagbourne (all 0.0). This places Chilton as a slightly more active residential hub compared to its immediate rural neighbours, yet it remains one of the safest options for those seeking a secure community in Oxfordshire. For anyone looking at the region, Chilton offers an excellent balance of accessibility and high-level safety.

In an area as safe as Chilton, where the property crime rate is a low 12.8 per 1,000, residents might be tempted to rely on traditional, reactive security measures. However, even in low-crime areas, the impact of a single burglary or act of criminal damage can be significant. Standard CCTV systems often only provide evidence after an incident has occurred, which does little to prevent the initial distress.

Adopting a proactive security posture with scOS AI-powered technology changes this dynamic. scOS is designed to prevent crime by detecting threats at the property boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence can identify suspicious patterns—such as someone loitering near your vehicle or exploring your perimeter—and initiate an autonomous response. This might include activating deterrent lighting or audio warnings before a crime is even attempted. For Chilton homeowners, scOS provides the benefit of professional-grade protection that maintains the peace of mind they expect in such a secure neighbourhood, ensuring that their property remains a hard target for opportunistic offenders.