Carterton Crime Rate

Carterton is a remarkably safe urban settlement in West Oxfordshire, currently boasting a safety score of 89/100. The town's overall crime rate is 42.1 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This data places Carterton among the most secure towns of its size in the country. The crime trend is currently stable, with only a 4.0% year-over-year change, indicating a consistent and reliable safety environment. Property crime is particularly low, with a rate of 10.8 per 1,000 people, far below the national average of 32.9. This context suggests that Carterton offers a high quality of life with minimal risk of serious property-related offences for its population of over 18,000 residents.

Crime Breakdown in Carterton

Carterton's crime statistics are dominated by violence and sexual offences, which constitute nearly half of all reported incidents at 49.5% (20.8 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category at 12.7%, followed by shoplifting at 8.8%. These figures suggest that most police activity is centred on public order and interpersonal issues rather than invasive property crime.

The overall property crime rate in Carterton—which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—is exceptionally low at 10.8 per 1,000 people. This is less than a third of the UK average of 32.9. Burglary and vehicle crime are particularly rare, each accounting for only 1.8% of total local crime. For residents and homeowners, this indicates a very high level of security for dwellings and assets. The primary property-related concern is shoplifting, which is likely concentrated in the town's commercial areas rather than residential neighbourhoods.

Crime Trends in Carterton

The crime trend in Carterton is currently stable, with a modest 4.0% increase year-over-year. This indicates that the town's safety profile has remained consistent without significant surges in criminal activity. Monthly data shows a crime rate that fluctuated between 2.4 and 4.6 per 1,000 residents throughout the year.

The lowest activity was recorded in January 2025 (2.4), while the peak occurred in June 2025 (4.6). Following this summer peak, the crime rate returned to more moderate levels, ending at 3.3 in October 2025. These fluctuations are typical for an urban area and do not suggest an underlying deterioration in safety. For residents, this stability provides a predictable environment, though the slight 4.0% increase serves as a reminder to maintain standard security practices. Overall, Carterton continues to demonstrate a resilient safety record.

How To Keep Safe in Carterton

The most common crime in Carterton is violence and sexual offences, often occurring in domestic or specific social contexts. To maintain your safety and contribute to the town's security, consider the following:

• Public Awareness: When enjoying Carterton's evening amenities, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit routes, although the town is generally very safe.
• Business Security: For local shop owners, shoplifting is the third most common crime. Implementing clear line-of-sight and modern surveillance can help mitigate these losses.
• Property Marking: Even with low burglary rates, marking high-value items can deter theft and assist in recovery should an incident occur.
• Vehicle Care: Ensure your car is locked and no valuables are visible. While vehicle crime is rare (0.8 per 1,000), basic precautions prevent opportunism.
• Community Engagement: Engage with local community policing initiatives to stay informed about any minor shifts in local safety trends.

Crime Time Patterns in Carterton

Crime in Carterton follows a pattern typical of a safe residential town with a commercial centre. The afternoon period (12pm - 6pm) sees the highest concentration of theft-related offences, accounting for 46% of crimes during those hours, largely driven by shoplifting activity.

Night-time hours (12am - 6am) are generally very quiet, though vehicle crime sees a relative peak, representing 25% of the small number of offences occurring during this period. Burglary incidents are most frequent during the night (16%) and afternoon (13%), though the total volume is extremely low. The evening hours (6pm - 12am) are dominated by "other" crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences. These trends suggest that while daytime commercial areas are the focus of theft, residential areas remain exceptionally secure throughout the night.

Carterton is located in an exceptionally low-crime pocket of Oxfordshire. When compared to its immediate neighbours, the contrast is stark; Brize Norton, Black Bourton, Alvescot, and Kencot all reported a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people. While Carterton's rate of 42.1 is higher, this is expected for a major residential and commercial hub with a population of over 18,000. Compared to other urban centres in the region, Carterton remains one of the safest choices. It provides the amenities of a town while maintaining a safety profile that is much closer to its quiet rural surroundings than to a typical UK urban area.

Protecting Your Property in Carterton

Carterton's property crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000 is one of the lowest in the region, making it an inherently safe place for homeowners. However, maintaining this level of security requires a proactive approach. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV, often only provide evidence after an event has occurred. In a town where crime is rare, the goal should be to ensure your property never becomes an exception to the rule.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS is designed to prevent crime rather than just record it. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries and can identify suspicious patterns before a break-in attempt is made. For Carterton residents, the autonomous response features—such as activating lights or voice alerts—can deter opportunistic shoplifters or the rare intruder before they cause damage. This level of professional-grade security signals to any potential offender that your home is not a viable target, effectively preserving the peace and security that Carterton is known for.