Harwell Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Harwell, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a crime rate of 72.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is slightly below the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting Harwell is comparatively safer than many areas of the country, with a safety score of 80/100. However, the data indicates a concerning upward trend, with crime increasing by 20.7% year-on-year. While the overall rate is manageable, the recent rise demands attention and proactive community engagement to maintain safety and security within the neighbourhood. Understanding the types of crime prevalent and the factors contributing to this trend is crucial for informed decision-making and effective crime prevention strategies.

The crime landscape in Harwell is dominated by violence and sexual offences, accounting for a significant 53.3% of recorded incidents in December 2025. Anti-social behaviour represents the second highest category, followed by public order offences. Overall property crime, encompassing burglary, criminal damage and arson, other theft, and vehicle crime, stands at 14.6 per 1,000 residents annually. While burglary itself is comparatively lower at 4.5 per 1,000, the broader property crime figure highlights a need for vigilance and preventative measures within the neighbourhood. The prevalence of violence and sexual offences underscores the importance of community safety initiatives and reporting mechanisms.

The 20.7% year-on-year increase in crime in Harwell is a cause for concern. Examining monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuations, with periods of lower activity, such as February and August, interspersed with months like March and September that exhibit higher crime rates. For instance, March 2025 recorded a rate of 9.4 per 1,000, while December 2025 showed a rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This volatility suggests the need for continuous monitoring and targeted interventions to address the underlying factors driving this upward trend.

How To Keep Safe in Harwell

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's crucial to be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night. Consider joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility. Lock your doors and windows, even when you are at home, and be cautious when answering the door to strangers. Report any suspicious activity to the police promptly – even seemingly minor incidents can be valuable in preventing more serious crimes. Finally, invest in good lighting around your property to deter potential intruders.

Crime in Harwell exhibits varied patterns throughout the day. Burglary incidents are most common during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), while theft tends to peak during commercial hours. Vehicle crime shows a higher prevalence overnight (12am - 6am), suggesting a need for increased vigilance regarding vehicle security during these times. Public order offences and violence appear to be more frequent during the evening hours (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekends, highlighting potential concerns regarding safety during nightlife activities.

Compared to neighbouring areas, Harwell’s crime rate presents a mixed picture. While Milton Hill experiences a significantly higher crime rate of 107.4 per 1,000, both Milton and Chilton (Vale of White Horse) report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, highlighting a substantial disparity. This suggests Harwell sits somewhere in between these extremes, and understanding the factors that contribute to the higher rates in areas like Milton Hill is important for contextualising Harwell’s own crime statistics.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide a record of crime after it has occurred. However, in a neighbourhood like Harwell, where crime is trending upwards, a more proactive approach is essential. scOS offers a fundamentally different approach to home security. Its AI-powered system detects threats at the property boundary, using multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification to instantly identify potential risks. By learning your family's routines and recognising deliveries, scOS eliminates false alarms and intervenes in real-time. The visible presence of scOS can act as a powerful deterrent, often prompting potential intruders to move on before any crime is committed – a stark contrast to traditional security systems that simply record the event. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats at your property line is another.