Wantage Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Wantage, the crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 in July 2025 translates to a daily risk of encountering a crime roughly once every 25 days, slightly lower than the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. This rate, while modest, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 46.9% of all reported crimes—nearly double the UK average share of 28% for this category. This spike may be partly explained by the summer season, when festivals and events draw larger crowds to the area, increasing opportunities for incidents in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, contributed 17.7% of crimes, though it remained 3% below the UK average. The seasonal context of July—schools out, tourism at its peak, and outdoor events—likely amplifies public order challenges, though the overall rate remains stable compared to other months. Vehicle crime surged in July, but this may be offset by the decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 68.8% compared to the previous month. For a small built-up area within a predominantly rural district, these figures illustrate the dual pressures of transient populations during peak season and the relative safety of a low-density community.

July 2025 saw a dramatic 350% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 2 to 9 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in burglary, suggests shifting patterns in local criminal activity. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell sharply by 68.8%, potentially linked to reduced vandalism during the summer months. Violence and sexual offences remained high, at 28% above the UK average, with 53 incidents reported—nearly half of all crimes in the area. The breakdown also reveals that anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average, contributed significantly to the overall crime profile. For residents, the jump in vehicle crime underscores the need for heightened awareness around parked vehicles, particularly in areas with increased foot traffic during festivals and events.

Wantage's crime rate in July 2025 fell by 5.8% compared to the previous month, reflecting a decline from 8.9 to 8.4 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with the seasonal rhythm of the Vale of White Horse, where summer holidays and festivals may temporarily disperse crowds from high-risk areas. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 4 crimes per day in July, a figure that translates to a local risk of about 1 crime for every 119 residents over the course of the month. When considering the population of 13,439, this suggests that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime remains relatively low, though localized spikes in specific categories—such as vehicle crime—warrant attention. The per-resident perspective also highlights that Wantage's overall safety profile continues to outperform the UK average, despite pockets of activity that may require community vigilance.