Shrivenham and Watchfield Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 6,347, the 20 reported crimes in December 2025 translate to a crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents—a figure that is 54.3% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This low rate aligns with the area’s likely rural or semi-rural character, where limited commercial activity and sparse population density may contribute to reduced opportunities for crime. Property crimes dominated the monthly tally, accounting for 65% of all incidents (13 out of 20), with burglary and criminal damage and arson making up the largest shares. The surge in burglary, which rose by 300% from the previous month, may be linked to seasonal factors such as holiday-related absences or increased home security vulnerabilities during the Christmas period. Conversely, violent crimes, which comprised 30% of the total (6 out of 20), saw a notable decline, with violence and sexual offences dropping by 68.4% compared to November. This decrease could be attributed to the typical reduction in public gatherings during December, though no direct causal link is confirmed. The area’s crime profile also shows stark contrasts with national trends: while criminal damage and arson rates are 92% above the UK average, violence and sexual offences are 61% below. This divergence suggests that local conditions—such as the presence of community policing initiatives, low foot traffic in residential areas, or seasonal economic factors—play a significant role in shaping crime patterns. December’s dark evenings and the holiday season, which often bring heightened vigilance among residents, may also contribute to the overall reduction in crime, even as specific categories like burglary see sharp increases.

December 2025 saw stark contrasts in crime trends for Shrivenham and Watchfield. Burglary increased by 300% compared to the previous month, jumping from 1 to 4 incidents—a sharp rise that may reflect seasonal factors such as empty homes during the festive period. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson surged by 100%, with six incidents reported, a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents, 92% above the UK average for this category. This spike raises questions about local vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences dropped by 68.4%, from 19 to 6, aligning with the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (61% below the national rate). This decline may be influenced by the holiday season, when public spaces are less frequented and social activities shift indoors. Residents may find the drop in public order offences—down 66.7% from three to one incident—particularly reassuring, as this category often correlates with alcohol-related disputes in urban areas.

In December 2025, Shrivenham and Watchfield recorded 20 total crimes across its population of 6,347 residents, translating to a crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 people. This represents a 35.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.9 per 1,000, marking a significant downward trend. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s overall safety profile. When considering monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 317 residents, a statistic that underscores the rarity of crime in this built-up area within the Vale of White Horse. Compared to the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, Shrivenham and Watchfield’s rate is 54.3% below, a gap that aligns with the area’s likely rural character and lower population density. This context suggests that local factors—such as community cohesion, limited commercial activity, and seasonal patterns—play a critical role in maintaining this low crime rate, even during periods like December, when holiday-related crime spikes nationally.