Charlbury Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Charlbury, West Oxfordshire, reveal a rate of 38.7 crimes per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. While this remains significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, it's crucial to understand the specific crime types prevalent in the area. The data indicates a concerning level of Violence and Sexual Offences, representing a significant portion of recorded incidents. However, a positive trend shows a decrease in overall crime compared to previous periods, suggesting ongoing efforts to maintain safety and security within the community.

Charlbury's crime data for December 2025 reveals a concerning pattern, with Violence and Sexual Offences representing the most prevalent category, accounting for 47 reported incidents, or 17.5 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by Anti-social Behaviour (13 incidents, 4.8 per 1,000) and Vehicle Crime (11 incidents, 4.1 per 1,000). Overall property crime, encompassing burglary, theft, and criminal damage, sits at 11.9 per 1,000 residents. The prevalence of these crime types highlights potential issues related to community safety and public order within the village. Factors such as population density, socioeconomic conditions, and the availability of local amenities could contribute to these statistics, though further investigation would be needed to establish direct causal links.

Crime rates in Charlbury have shown a positive downward trend, decreasing by 11.9% year-on-year. Examining monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuations, with a notable low in February 2025 (1.1 per 1,000/month) and a peak in May 2025 (6.0 per 1,000/month). The significant drop in December 2025 (0.7 per 1,000/month) suggests a potential seasonal impact or the effectiveness of recent crime prevention initiatives. This overall decline provides a sense of reassurance, but continued vigilance and proactive measures remain crucial for maintaining community safety.

How To Keep Safe in Charlbury

Given the prevalence of Violence and Sexual Offences, it’s advisable to avoid walking alone late at night, particularly in poorly lit areas. Be mindful of your surroundings and trust your instincts. Vehicle crime is also a concern, so ensure your vehicle is always locked and valuables are removed. Consider a car alarm system and parking in well-lit areas whenever possible. Finally, be vigilant about suspicious behaviour and report any concerns to the authorities promptly. Secure your home with robust locks and consider installing motion-sensor lighting to deter potential intruders.

Criminal activity in Charlbury displays a varied pattern throughout the day. Burglary incidents are somewhat distributed across the afternoon and evening, with a spike in the morning. Vehicle crime is noticeably more frequent during the night hours (12am-6am), indicating a potential vulnerability during those times. Theft also sees a higher incidence in the afternoon, coinciding with peak commercial activity. The evening hours (6pm-12am) see a rise in incidents related to public order and potentially, violence, suggesting a need for increased vigilance and community presence during these periods.

Charlbury’s crime rate is influenced by its surrounding areas. Finstock demonstrates a rate of 40.4 per 1,000, while Chadlington reports a higher rate of 53.6 per 1,000. Conversely, Stonesfield and Ramsden exhibit notably lower rates at 0.0 per 1,000. These variations highlight the diverse safety landscapes within the West Oxfordshire district, underscoring the importance of localised crime prevention strategies and community engagement.

Traditional CCTV systems provide valuable footage after a crime has occurred. However, the escalating sophistication of criminals demands a more proactive approach. Consider a system like scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, which prevents crime before it happens. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property continuously, instantly verifying vehicles with DVLA records and learning your family’s routines. This allows it to detect genuine threats at the property boundary – a burglar approaching your gate, for example – and respond autonomously by activating lights and speakers, creating an element of surprise and often deterring the intruder. In Charlbury, where Vehicle Crime is a concern, this proactive capability can be invaluable. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually preventing threats at your property line is another.