Wantage Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wantage's crime rate in November 2024 stood at 7.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 6.6% below the UK average of 7.6. This positioning reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics, with the built-up area's character likely influencing patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 49.5% of all reported incidents—significantly higher than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This category's elevated rate may be partly explained by the area's proximity to Oxford, which could see increased foot traffic during the late autumn months. Anti-social behaviour followed at 10.5%, but this was 37% below the UK average, suggesting local community efforts or environmental factors may contribute to lower levels of disorder. Seasonal context also plays a role, with November's darker evenings and events like Bonfire Night amplifying certain types of crime. The month's shopping events, including Black Friday, may have influenced shoplifting rates.7 per 1,000—just 1% above the UK average. The area's low burglary rate (0.1 per 1,000) was 68% below the UK average, a statistic consistent with the relatively secure residential character of Wantage. These figures illustrate a crime picture shaped by both geographic and temporal factors, with the built-up area's unique profile influencing its standing relative to national trends.

November 2024 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 200% from 1 to 3 incidents. This increase, though still below the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000, may reflect heightened activity during the month's darker evenings or changes in local parking patterns. Shoplifting also rose by 80%, reaching 9 incidents (0.7 per 1,000), potentially linked to Black Friday shopping activity. Conversely, burglary dropped by 66.7% to 1 incident, a stark contrast to the 3 recorded in October, though the area's overall rate remains significantly below the UK average. The crime mix shifted with violent crimes (47 incidents) outpacing property crimes (31), a reversal from previous months. This imbalance may be explained by the proximity to Oxford, which could see increased social interactions during the academic term. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 9.1%, a small but measurable trend that could indicate the effectiveness of local policing initiatives. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the 200% spike in vehicle crime, which highlights the need for vigilance in parking areas during the winter months. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, influenced by both seasonal factors and the area's specific characteristics.

Wantage's crime rate in November 2024 rose by 33.9% compared to the previous month's rate of 5.3 per 1,000, reflecting a significant upward shift. However, this increase still positions the area 6.6% below the UK average, illustrating a combination of local and national trends. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 3 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, requires contextualisation within the built-up area's population of 13,439 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 141 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK's broader context, suggests Wantage maintains a relatively secure environment. This statistic is particularly noteworthy when considering the area's proximity to Oxford, where higher population density typically correlates with elevated crime rates. The 33.9% increase from October may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as the darker evenings of November and the timing of events like Bonfire Night. However, the area's overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, a position that could be reinforced by the built-up area's character—likely featuring a mix of residential and commercial spaces that may foster lower crime rates compared to more densely populated urban centres. These comparative metrics provide a nuanced perspective, highlighting both the localised changes and the area's continued standing relative to national statistics.