Milton Hill Crime Rate

Milton Hill presents a more active crime profile than many of its rural neighbours, with an overall crime rate of 111.6 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably higher than the UK average of 91.7. Despite this, the area maintains a safety score of 75/100, indicating that while incidents are more frequent, they may be concentrated in specific commercial zones. The local crime rate has seen a 5.6% increase over the last year, suggesting a slight upward trend in activity. Property crime is a particular area of concern, with a rate of 46.0 per 1,000, which is significantly above the national benchmark. This report provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics, offering insights into the types of crime prevalent in Milton Hill and how they compare regionally.

Milton Hill experiences a higher volume of criminal activity compared to its immediate neighbours, with an overall crime rate of 111.6 per 1,000 people. The most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 61 incidents (32.3% of the total). Shoplifting is also a major factor, with 23 recorded cases (12.2%), followed by public order offences at 20 cases (10.6%). Other theft also contributes significantly with 19 reported incidents.

Property crime is a substantial concern in Milton Hill, with a rate of 46.0 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 32.3. This category includes 23 shoplifting cases, 19 'other theft' cases, and 13 vehicle crimes. Burglary (4 incidents), bicycle theft (3 incidents), and theft from the person (5 incidents) add to the property crime total. Additionally, 10 cases of criminal damage and arson were recorded. For residents, this data indicates a diverse range of property-related risks, with theft and vehicle crime being particularly prevalent. The high rate of shoplifting suggests significant commercial activity in the area that attracts opportunistic offenders, which can often spill over into residential concerns. Protection of personal property and vehicles is therefore a high priority for those living in or visiting Milton Hill.

Milton Hill has experienced a 5.6% increase in crime over the last 12 months. The monthly data reveals a volatile pattern, with significant spikes in activity. The year began with moderate rates around 9.0 per 1,000, but saw a major increase in May 2025, reaching 15.9 per 1,000. This was followed by another high in July at 15.4.

These summer peaks suggest that Milton Hill may be susceptible to seasonal increases in crime, possibly linked to increased footfall or commercial activity. The rate dipped significantly in September to 4.1, before rising again in October to 12.4. The period ended with a rate of 7.7 in November. This inconsistent pattern means that residents should remain vigilant year-round, as crime levels can fluctuate rapidly. The overall upward trend, though modest, indicates that security should remain a top priority for the local community.

How To Keep Safe in Milton Hill

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Milton Hill, followed closely by shoplifting and public order offences. To enhance your personal and property safety, consider these specific tips:

1. Be Vigilant in Commercial Areas: With shoplifting and theft being high, stay aware of your belongings when in local retail or business zones. Keep bags zipped and never leave valuables unattended in public spaces.
2. Prioritise Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime is a significant issue here, especially at night. Always park in well-lit, secure areas and consider using additional physical deterrents like steering wheel locks, as vehicle crime makes up 51% of night-time incidents.
3. Enhance Home Lighting: Use motion-activated security lights around the perimeter of your home. A well-lit property is a much less attractive target for the theft and public order offences that occur in the evening.
4. Secure Your Digital Footprint: In areas with higher theft rates, "other theft" can sometimes include identity-related crimes. Be careful with how you dispose of mail and sensitive documents.
5. Community Awareness: Stay in touch with neighbours and local business owners. A connected community is much more effective at spotting and reporting the suspicious activity that precedes most property crimes.

Milton Hill displays clear temporal trends in its criminal activity. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily dominated by theft, including shoplifting, which accounts for 59% and 65% of crimes respectively. This points to a significant concentration of opportunistic crime during business hours when commercial activity is at its highest.

As the day transitions into the evening, the nature of crime shifts toward public order and 'other' offences, which make up 36% of incidents. However, the most striking pattern occurs at night (12am-6am), where vehicle crime becomes the dominant threat, accounting for a staggering 51% of all reported incidents during these hours. Burglary also reaches its peak proportionality during the night at 10%. This data suggests that while daytime risks are primarily commercial and opportunistic, the night-time poses a specific and heightened risk to residents' vehicles and property perimeters. Secure parking and active home security are essential for mitigating these night-time risks.

In the local context of the Vale of White Horse, Milton Hill (111.6) is the most high-activity area among its immediate neighbours. It stands in stark contrast to Milton and East Hendred, both of which recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people. It also has a higher crime rate than Steventon (53.3) and Harwell (71.7). For those comparing areas in this part of Oxfordshire, Milton Hill appears as a more urbanised or commercially busy hub where crime is more frequent. While this may be due to the presence of businesses or transport links, it means that residents and visitors should be more safety-conscious here than in the surrounding, quieter villages.

With a property crime rate of 46.0 per 1,000, Milton Hill homeowners face a higher-than-average risk of theft and vehicle crime. In such an environment, traditional security measures like standard CCTV or basic alarms often fall short because they are reactive; they tell you what happened after the damage is done.

To truly secure a property in Milton Hill, a proactive approach is essential. The scOS AI-powered security operating system offers a significant advantage by preventing crime before it occurs. By using multi-camera intelligence to watch your property boundaries 24/7, scOS can identify potential threats—like someone scouting your vehicle or approaching your front door—long before a break-in is attempted. The system’s ability to initiate autonomous responses, such as activating lights or speakers, creates an immediate deterrent that most opportunistic criminals will not challenge. For residents of Milton Hill, scOS provides a professional-grade security layer that actively works to keep the area's higher crime rates away from their front door.