Shrivenham and Watchfield Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Shrivenham and Watchfield's crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents in March 2023 places the area 50% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000—a stark contrast to national trends. This discrepancy suggests a combination of geographic and demographic factors shaping the local crime profile. The area's most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 50% of all recorded incidents. This rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents was 31% below the UK average, a figure that may partly reflect the area's semi-rural character, where smaller communities often report fewer violent crimes compared to densely populated urban centres. Anti-social behaviour followed at 12.5% of total crimes, with a rate of 0.5 per 1,000 residents—52% below the UK average—highlighting a lower incidence of disruptive behaviour. The seasonal context of March, with its transition to spring and lengthening evenings, may contribute to increased outdoor activity, influencing crime patterns. However, the area's overall low crime rate suggests effective community cohesion or limited opportunities for certain types of crime. The crime mix included a significant proportion of property-related offences, with burglary and other thefts comprising 25% of all incidents. This balance between violent and property crimes contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. The area's unique profile—characterised by lower rates of violent crime but higher rates of specific property offences—requires tailored analysis to understand local dynamics.

March 2023 saw a notable concentration of violent crimes, with 12 incidents reported—accounting for 50% of all recorded crimes. This rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents for violence and sexual offences was 31% below the UK average, suggesting a lower prevalence of severe interpersonal crime compared to the national picture. Conversely, theft from the person emerged as a local outlier, with 2 incidents reported at a rate of 0.3 per 1,000 residents—150% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This discrepancy highlights a specific vulnerability in personal safety that warrants attention. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained well below the UK average, with 3 incidents recorded at 0.5 per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 1.0 per 1,000. The area's burglary rate of 0.5 per 1,000—52% above the UK average—points to a unique challenge in property crime prevention, possibly linked to local housing characteristics or community dynamics.

Shrivenham and Watchfield's crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents in March 2023 translates to roughly one reported crime for every 264 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure offers a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime for someone living in the area. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a rate significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to similar population sizes. The population context further clarifies these numbers: with 6,347 residents, the area's small size means crime incidents are spread across a relatively limited number of households. This contrasts with larger urban centres where higher population densities can lead to more concentrated crime patterns. The daily figure, while low, remains a useful benchmark for residents assessing local safety in relation to national trends.