Shrivenham and Watchfield Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Shrivenham and Watchfield’s crime profile in June 2023, accounting for 57.1% of all reported incidents. With a total crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents, the area recorded 28 crimes, a figure 48.2% below the UK average of 8.5. This stark contrast highlights the area’s generally low crime profile, though the significant share of violent crimes—16 in total—suggests a unique dynamic. The breakdown reveals anti-social behaviour (7 incidents, 25% of total) and public order offences (2, 7.1%) as secondary concerns, both of which remain well below UK averages. Seasonal factors may play a role: as summer begins, the extended daylight hours and increased social activity could contribute to the rise in violent incidents. However, the absence of major urban infrastructure or nightlife hubs raises questions about the drivers of such offences in this rural setting. The low property crime rate (3 incidents, 10.7% of total) further underscores the area’s distinct character, with theft and burglary far less prevalent than in more densely populated regions. While a direct link between seasonal changes and the surge in violence, the timing aligns with the start of summer, a period often associated with heightened social interactions and events. The area’s overall safety, despite the increase in violent crimes, remains a key takeaway, with crime rates continuing to lag significantly behind national averages.

June 2023 saw a 100% rise in violence and sexual offences, with 16 incidents reported compared to 8 in May. This surge, coupled with a 40% increase in anti-social behaviour, contrasts sharply with declines in shoplifting (-66.7%) and public order offences (-33.3%). The dominance of violent crimes—57.1% of all reported incidents—places the area’s profile distinctly apart from the UK average, where such offences account for 2.9 per 1,000 residents. Violence and sexual offences in Shrivenham and Watchfield are 14% below the UK average, suggesting a combination of local factors. For residents, the 1-in-227 monthly exposure rate offers a tangible sense of risk, though the area’s overall safety remains evident. The sharp decline in shoplifting, from 3 to 1 incidents, may reflect seasonal changes or targeted policing efforts, though no direct causal link can be confirmed.

Shrivenham and Watchfield’s crime rate in June 2023 rose 27.1% compared to the previous month, increasing from 3.5 to 4.4 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend, though modest, highlights a shift in local patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day in June, a figure that reflects the relatively low volume of incidents even amid the summer season. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 227 residents, a metric that contextualises the scale of crime in a population of 6,347. While this rate remains significantly below the UK average, the increase from May suggests a need to monitor local factors such as seasonal activity or community dynamics. The population-scaled perspective underscores that, despite the rise, the area continues to experience far fewer crimes than the national average, reinforcing its status as a relatively safe built-up area within the Vale of White Horse.