Wantage Crime Rate

Wantage Crime Statistics

Wantage is a secure residential settlement with a safety score of 81/100, which is comfortably above the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate stands at 79.0 per 1,000 people per year, significantly lower than the national average of 93.1. However, the area has seen an increasing trend in crime, with a 12.9% rise in total incidents year-over-year. This upward trajectory is a concern for the local community of 13,439 residents. By understanding the specific types of crime that occur and their timing, residents can better maintain their personal and property security in this historic Oxfordshire town.

Crime Breakdown in Wantage

In the town of Wantage, the most frequent crime types are violence and sexual offences (41.4%), anti-social behaviour (14.5%), and criminal damage and arson (8.9%). With 439 violence reports and 154 ASB reports annually, these categories represent the majority of local incidents.

Property crime in Wantage occurs at a rate of 23.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This category includes 95 incidents of criminal damage, 89 shoplifting reports, and 60 'other thefts'. Vehicle crime and burglary together account for over 5% of total offences. For homeowners, the data suggests that while the overall risk is low, criminal damage and opportunistic theft are the primary property concerns. Although the numbers are small, the nature of these crimes means that residents should maintain consistent security measures, particularly for entry points and vehicles, to safeguard against the most common property-related risks in the area.

Wantage Crime Trends

The crime trend in Wantage is currently increasing, with a 12.9% rise in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate fluctuated throughout the year, starting at 7.1 in November 2024 and rising to a peak of 8.9 in June 2025.

There was another significant spike in July (8.4), but the overall trend has been upward. Dips were seen in September (4.0) and August (5.5), which were the lowest points of the year. This pattern suggests that while the area is consistently safe, it can experience temporary surges in activity during the summer months. Residents should remain alert to these fluctuations.

How To Keep Safe in Wantage

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in Wantage. To stay safe in this generally secure town, consider these tips:

• Stay aware of your surroundings when walking through the town centre in the evening, and stick to well-lit, familiar routes.
• Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit, particularly near entry points and driveways, to discourage opportunistic theft and criminal damage.
• Join the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any unusual activity and help maintain the area's high safety standards.
• Keep high-value items out of sight in your vehicle and ensure it is always locked, as vehicle crime is still a presence in the area.
• Report any anti-social behaviour to the local authorities, as this helps police identify hotspots and prevent more serious crimes.

Crime Time Patterns in Wantage

Crime in Wantage exhibits clear temporal patterns. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most prominent concern, accounting for 44% and 49% of incidents respectively. This suggests that daytime activity in the town is the primary driver of these reports.

As the evening approaches, the nature of crime shifts. Between 6pm and 12am, 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—rise to 57% of all reports. This is a high concentration of nuisance behaviour during the evening hours. During the night (12am - 6am), vehicle crime reaches its highest relative level, at 32% of all reported offences. This indicates that vehicles parked overnight are at their most vulnerable during the early hours of the morning. Burglary remains a consistent threat throughout the day and night, peaking at 14% during the night. Understanding these patterns allows residents to be more vigilant during the specific times when different risks are most prevalent, particularly regarding personal safety in the evening and vehicle security overnight.

Nearby Area Context

In the local Oxfordshire context, Wantage is safer than the urban centre of Oxford but has a higher crime rate than nearby Grove (56.3). While East Challow, Letcombe Regis, and Childrey all report 0.0 rates in this dataset, Wantage remains one of the more active residential pockets in the region. Its increasing crime trend is a significant concern compared to some neighbouring areas where crime is stable or falling. Overall, it offers a relatively peaceful environment compared to the major urban hubs, but the recent rise in reports warrants increased community vigilance.

Protecting Your Property in Wantage

Wantage's property crime rate of 23.9 per 1,000 is lower than the UK average, but the 12.9% increase in crime suggests that proactive measures are increasingly valuable. Traditional security systems often fail to prevent crime, instead providing footage of the event after it has happened. For Wantage residents, a proactive approach is the most effective way to maintain a safe home.

The scOS home security operating system uses AI to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping intruders before they can cause damage. It monitors all your cameras simultaneously and can distinguish between residents, delivery drivers, and strangers. For Wantage homeowners, scOS provides a powerful deterrent through autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers. This destroys the element of surprise for potential intruders and ensures your property is a hard target. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS offers a superior level of protection that matches the high safety standards of the Wantage community.