Charlbury Crime Rate

Charlbury is a secure and peaceful town with an overall crime rate of 39.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 90/100. The town is also experiencing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 7.0% year-over-year. For the 2,686 residents, these statistics reflect a community that is safe and becoming even more secure. The property crime rate in Charlbury is 13.0 per 1,000 people, which is also well below national benchmarks. This data-driven context establishes Charlbury as a high-safety area within West Oxfordshire. The following sections provide a more detailed analysis of local crime patterns and practical safety suggestions.

Crime Breakdown in Charlbury

The crime profile of Charlbury is primarily led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 43.9% of all recorded incidents, with a rate of 17.5 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.2% and vehicle crime at 11.2%. While these are the most frequent categories, a broader understanding of property crime is vital for local residents.

The property crime rate in Charlbury is 13.0 per 1,000 people. This combined figure includes vehicle crime, other theft, burglary, and bicycle theft. Vehicle crime is the most prominent property-related issue, contributing over 11% to the total. Burglary is relatively low, making up 6.5% of local crime. For homeowners, this indicates that while the risk of a break-in is statistically low, opportunistic property and vehicle-related offences are the primary security concerns. Public order offences also contribute 9.3% to the total, suggesting that most crime in the area is non-confrontational or opportunistic in nature.

Crime Trends in Charlbury

Charlbury has maintained a positive safety trend over the past year, with overall crime decreasing by 7.0%. Monthly data reveals a relatively stable crime rate, generally fluctuating between 1.1 and 4.1 per 1,000 residents, with one notable outlier in May 2025 where the rate reached 6.0. Following this peak, the rate stabilized, ending at 3.4 in October 2025. This consistent performance indicates that Charlbury is not subject to major crime spikes and remains a very 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 Charlbury

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

1. Vehicle Security: With vehicle crime being a notable category (11.2%), always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display. Use a garage if available.
2. Evening Awareness: Stay alert when walking through the town at night. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid shortcuts through unlit or isolated areas.
3. Theft Prevention: Ensure that personal belongings are not left unattended in public spaces like cafes or parks, as opportunistic theft can occur even in safe areas.
4. 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.
5. Community Connection: Engage with local neighbourhood watch schemes. In a town like Charlbury, residents looking out for one another is one of the most effective ways to maintain high safety standards.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Charlbury

Crime timing in Charlbury shows a clear relationship between the time of day and the nature of the offence. Theft is primarily a daytime issue, making up 36% of morning crimes and 43% of afternoon crimes. As the day transitions into evening and night, the focus shifts significantly towards property and vehicle crime. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 34% of incidents, and this rises sharply to 62% during the night-time hours of 12am to 6am. Burglary also peaks during the afternoon (26%) and evening (22%). For Charlbury 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, Charlbury's crime rate of 39.8 per 1,000 people is very similar to Finstock (40.3) and notably safer than Chadlington (51.5). However, it is more active than the exceptionally quiet villages of Stonesfield and Ramsden, both of which recorded no crimes (0.0) during the same period. This highlights Charlbury's position as a moderately active but very safe town within a cluster of low-crime rural and suburban settlements. It remains a highly desirable and secure location for residents.

Proactive Security in Charlbury

With a property crime rate of 13.0 per 1,000 residents and vehicle crime accounting for over 11% of local offences, maintaining high security standards in Charlbury is a wise investment. While the area is very safe, traditional security systems like standard CCTV or smart doorbells are often reactive; they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed.

For homeowners who want to prevent crime rather than just record it, 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 for protecting vehicles parked on driveways, ensuring that your property remains a hardened target in this safe West Oxfordshire town.