Marcham Crime Rate

Marcham presents as a notably secure environment, with an overall crime rate of 37.3 per 1,000 residents and an impressive safety score of 91/100. When compared to the UK average crime rate of 93.1, the village demonstrates a significantly lower incidence of criminal activity. However, data from the most recent twelve-month period indicates an increasing trend, with a 13.6% rise in reported offences. Despite this upward movement, Marcham remains well above the national average for safety, offering a tranquil residential setting. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of the specific crime types, temporal patterns, and local comparisons that define the safety landscape of this Vale of White Horse settlement.

Crime Breakdown in Marcham

Analysis of local law enforcement data reveals that violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant portion of recorded incidents in Marcham, accounting for 40.2% of all crime with a rate of 15.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 16.3% and criminal damage and arson at 10.9%. While these figures represent the primary concerns, the broader category of property-related crime also warrants attention from the community.

The overall property crime rate in Marcham stands at 11.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure encompasses burglary (7.6% of total crime), other theft (7.6%), and vehicle crime (1.1%), alongside criminal damage. For residents and homeowners, this indicates that while Marcham is relatively secure, there is a persistent baseline of opportunistic theft and property interference. Vigilance regarding home security and vehicle safety remains a practical necessity to mitigate the risk of these common local offences.

Crime Trends in Marcham

The crime data for Marcham indicates an increasing trend, with a 13.6% year-over-year rise in total offences. Analysis of the monthly trendData shows significant fluctuations throughout the year. The highest crime rate was recorded in June 2025 at 6.1 per 1,000 people, followed by April and July at 4.1. Conversely, December 2024 saw the lowest activity with a rate of just 1.2.

This upward trend suggests that while Marcham remains a very safe settlement, there has been a recent increase in local activity that residents should monitor. The peaks in late spring and summer are common in many residential areas, often linked to longer daylight hours and increased outdoor activity. For homeowners, this trend highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security year-round, regardless of the traditionally low-crime reputation of the area.

How To Keep Safe in Marcham

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type in Marcham. While the overall numbers are low, maintaining personal safety and community awareness is important for all residents.

To stay safe, always be aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening hours. Ensure that residential streets and pathways are well-lit; if you notice street lighting issues, report them promptly to the local council. Engaging with a neighbourhood watch scheme can also help foster a safer environment through collective vigilance. Additionally, ensure your home’s entry points are secure, as a well-protected home reduces the likelihood of being targeted by opportunistic offenders. Finally, if you witness suspicious behaviour or anti-social activity, reporting it to the police immediately helps them allocate resources effectively to the area.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Marcham

The timing of criminal activity in Marcham reveals distinct trends across different periods of the day. Morning and afternoon hours (6am to 6pm) are characterised by a high proportion of theft-related offences, which account for nearly half of the incidents in these timeframes. This often coincides with periods when residents are away at work and commercial activity is at its peak.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts. The night-time period (12am to 6am) sees a significant spike in the relative frequency of burglary, which makes up 34% of crimes during these hours. Vehicle crime also becomes more prevalent during the night, accounting for 11% of incidents. These patterns suggest that while opportunistic theft is a daytime concern, more serious property incursions are primarily nocturnal, taking advantage of the reduced visibility and activity in residential neighbourhoods.

When examining the local context, Marcham sits in a varied safety landscape within the Vale of White Horse. It is considerably safer than Shippon, which has a much higher crime rate of 63.9 per 1,000 people. It is very similar in safety profile to Drayton, which recorded a nearly identical rate of 36.9. In contrast, the tiny nearby hamlets of Frilford and Cothill reported zero crimes during the same period, reflecting their much smaller and more isolated populations. For those considering the region, Marcham offers a balanced profile—more active than the smallest hamlets but significantly more secure than larger nearby settlements like Shippon.

Protecting Your Home in Marcham

With a property crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000 residents and a recent 13.6% increase in overall crime, homeowners in Marcham should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems, such as Ring or Nest, are reactive; they provide you with high-definition footage of a crime after it has already occurred. In a community where burglary and theft constitute a significant portion of property offences, the goal should be prevention rather than just recording.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered intelligence to detect threats at your property boundary. Rather than waiting for a sensor to be tripped or a window to be broken, scOS monitors all your cameras simultaneously, identifying suspicious patterns and unauthorised individuals in real-time. This autonomous response—activating lights or speakers the moment a threat is detected—destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area like Marcham, where most property crimes occur under the cover of darkness, having a system that never blinks and intervenes before a break-in happens provides the ultimate peace of mind.