Chipping Norton Crime Rate

Chipping Norton is a secure market town in West Oxfordshire, currently holding a safety score of 83/100. Its overall crime rate is 68.0 per 1,000 residents, which compares favourably to the UK average of 93.1. This indicates that the town is significantly safer than many urban areas across the country. The crime trend is currently stable, showing a 3.7% decrease over the past year, which points toward a consistently safe environment. Property crime in Chipping Norton stands at 22.1 per 1,000 people, also well below the national average of 32.9. As a central hub for the surrounding rural area, the town experiences some commercial-related crime, but it remains a highly safe place to live and visit.

Crime Breakdown in Chipping Norton

Chipping Norton's crime profile is primarily shaped by violence and sexual offences, which account for 44.3% of all recorded incidents (30.1 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category at 11.4%, followed by shoplifting at 9.3%. As a prominent market town, the higher levels of retail-related crime and public order issues are reflective of its role as a regional hub for shopping and socialising.

The property crime rate in Chipping Norton is 22.1 per 1,000 people. While this is higher than some of its smaller rural neighbours, it remains significantly below the UK average of 32.9. Burglary is relatively uncommon, making up just 2.9% of total crime (1.9 per 1,000), while vehicle crime accounts for 5.5%. For homeowners, this suggests that the majority of crime is concentrated in public and commercial spaces rather than residential dwellings. However, the combined impact of various theft types (including shoplifting and 'other theft') indicates that opportunism is a factor in the town's busier areas.

Crime Trends in Chipping Norton

The crime trend in Chipping Norton is currently stable, with a 3.7% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. This indicates that the town is successfully maintaining its safety standards. Monthly data shows that the crime rate varied throughout the year, with a low of 4.4 in December 2024 and peaks of 7.2 in November 2024 and August 2025.

The data suggests a seasonal pattern, with higher activity in the late summer and late autumn months. However, the overall stability and the slight downward trend are encouraging for residents. Even during peak months, the crime rate remains well within the bounds of a safe market town. For homeowners, this consistent performance provides peace of mind, although the fluctuations in summer and autumn highlight the importance of maintaining year-round security awareness. Overall, Chipping Norton remains a resilient and secure community.

How To Keep Safe in Chipping Norton

The highest crime category in Chipping Norton is violence and sexual offences, which often occur in social or domestic settings. To enhance your safety in this historic market town, consider the following:

• Town Centre Awareness: When visiting the town centre during busy periods or evening hours, stay alert and stick to well-lit areas.
• Retail Vigilance: For local business owners, shoplifting is a top three concern. Ensure your store layout minimises blind spots and consider active monitoring systems.
• Vehicle Security: With vehicle crime making up 5.5% of local incidents, always lock your car and avoid leaving any items—even bags or coats—visible on the seats.
• Home Boundary Protection: Use motion-activated lighting and clear boundaries to make your home a less attractive target for opportunistic thieves.
• Join Local Networks: Participate in the local Neighbourhood Watch to stay updated on any specific safety concerns or suspicious activity reported by other residents.

Crime Time Patterns in Chipping Norton

Crime in Chipping Norton exhibits clear temporal patterns linked to its commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is the most active period, accounting for 59% of all theft-related offences. This is primarily due to shoplifting and other thefts in the town's retail areas during peak business hours.

In contrast, night-time (12am - 6am) is the peak period for vehicle crime, which represents 44% of all incidents during those hours. This suggests that vehicles are targeted when they are parked overnight in residential streets or public car parks. Burglary incidents show a slight peak during the night (14%) and afternoon (12%), but remain rare overall. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a rise in "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, often associated with the town's evening economy.

Chipping Norton serves as a major commercial and social centre for North West Oxfordshire. When compared to its immediate neighbours like Over Norton, Churchill, Cornwell, and Great Rollright—all of which reported zero crimes—Chipping Norton's rate of 68.0 appears higher. However, this is typical for a town with a population of over 7,000 and a thriving retail sector. In the broader regional context, Chipping Norton is a very safe urban settlement, offering a much lower risk profile than larger Oxfordshire towns or the UK average, making it an attractive location for those seeking a balance of amenities and safety.

Protecting Your Property in Chipping Norton

With a property crime rate of 22.1 per 1,000 residents, Chipping Norton is safer than the UK average, yet the presence of shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary means that homeowners should not be complacent. Traditional security measures often rely on recording events as they happen, which can be useful for evidence but does little to stop a crime in progress. In a busy market town, preventing opportunism is the key to effective security.

Adopting a proactive AI-powered system like scOS offers a superior level of protection. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, identifying potential threats before they reach your home. Its autonomous response features—such as instant light activation and audio alerts—can deter an intruder within seconds of them entering your property. For Chipping Norton residents, scOS also provides vehicle verification to track suspicious activity near your driveway. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS ensures that your property remains secure, effectively stopping crime before it can impact your life.