Burford Crime Rate

Burford is a safe and secure town with an overall crime rate of 65.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to a solid safety score of 83/100. The town is also experiencing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 11.0% year-over-year. For the 1,973 residents, these statistics reflect a community that is safe and becoming even more secure. The property crime rate in Burford is 27.4 per 1,000 people, which is also well below national benchmarks. This data-driven context establishes Burford as a secure and attractive location within the West Oxfordshire local authority. The following sections provide a more detailed analysis of local crime patterns and practical safety advice.

Crime Breakdown in Burford

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Burford, accounting for 45.0% of all recorded incidents, with a rate of 29.4 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 12.4% and vehicle crime at 10.8%. For homeowners and residents, understanding the impact of property crime is also essential.

The combined property crime rate in Burford is 27.4 per 1,000 people. This includes vehicle crime, shoplifting, burglary, and other theft. Vehicle crime is a significant property-related concern, contributing nearly 11% to the total crime volume. Shoplifting and burglary also represent notable portions, at 7.0% and 6.2% respectively. When combined with other theft and criminal damage, it is clear that opportunistic property offences are a persistent factor in this popular tourist town. For residents, this indicates that while the area is safe, securing physical assets—particularly vehicles and residential properties—is a key priority for maintaining local security.

Crime Trends in Burford

Burford has seen a positive safety trend over the past year, with overall crime decreasing by 11.0%. Monthly data reveals a relatively consistent crime rate, generally fluctuating between 1.0 and 9.1 per 1,000 residents, with a notable peak in June 2025 reaching 8.1. Following this peak, the rate stabilized, ending at 5.6 in October 2025. This downward trajectory indicates that Burford is not subject to major persistent crime spikes and remains a safe environment. The overall reduction in crime volume over the last 12 months reinforces the town's status as a secure and well-managed community within West Oxfordshire.

How To Keep Safe in Burford

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type in Burford. While the overall volume is low, maintaining personal safety awareness is always a sensible precaution, particularly in busier tourist areas.

1. Vehicle Security: With vehicle crime being a significant category (10.8%), always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display. Use a garage if available.
2. Theft Prevention: Burford's popularity as a tourist destination can lead to opportunistic theft. Ensure personal belongings are never left unattended in cafes, shops, or public spaces.
3. Property Lighting: Use motion-sensor lighting around your home's exterior. This is a simple but effective way to deter unwanted visitors during the dark overnight hours.
4. Secure Your Perimeter: Criminal damage and arson accounts for over 12% of local incidents. Ensure your gates are locked and that any outdoor assets are stored securely.
5. Community Connection: Engage with local neighbourhood watch schemes. In a town like Burford, residents looking out for one another is one of the most effective ways to maintain high safety standards.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Burford

Crime timing in Burford shows a clear relationship between the time of day and the nature of the offence. Theft is primarily a daytime issue, making up 19% of morning crimes and 24% of afternoon crimes. As the day transitions into evening and night, the focus shifts significantly towards vehicle crime. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 26% of incidents, and this rises sharply to 52% during the night-time hours of 12am to 6am. Burglary also peaks during the afternoon (26%) and evening or night (both 17%). For Burford residents, these patterns emphasize that the overnight period is the most critical time for vehicle security, while general property vigilance is most important during the afternoon hours.

In the local West Oxfordshire context, Burford's crime rate of 65.4 per 1,000 people is more active than nearby Carterton (42.1) but is notably more active than the exceptionally quiet villages of Fulbrook and Brize Norton, both of which recorded no crimes (0.0) during the same period. It is also safer than nearby Minster Lovell (51.2) in terms of overall safety perception despite the higher rate. This indicates that Burford is a more active settlement, likely due to its popularity as a tourist destination, but it remains a very safe town within a low-crime regional cluster.

Proactive Home Security in Burford

With a property crime rate of 27.4 per 1,000 residents and vehicle crime accounting for nearly 11% of all local offences, residents of Burford should consider the benefits of advanced home security. While the area is safe, traditional security systems like standard CCTV or basic alarms are often reactive; they only alert you or provide footage after a crime has been committed.

For homeowners who want to prevent crime before it happens, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the ideal solution. scOS monitors your property's perimeter in real-time, using AI to identify potential threats before they reach your front door or vehicle. By using autonomous deterrents such as integrated lights and speakers, scOS can warn off intruders before they can cause damage or complete a theft. This proactive approach is particularly effective in a town like Burford, where high footfall can lead to opportunistic property-related offences, ensuring that your home remains a hardened target in this historic West Oxfordshire town.