Freeland Crime Rate

Freeland is one of the safest villages in the UK, with an overall crime rate of 18.1 per 1,000 residents. This figure is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 93.1, contributing to a near-perfect safety score of 94/100. The village is also seeing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 6.7% year-over-year. For the 1,549 residents, this data reflects an incredibly secure and peaceful environment. Property crime is also remarkably low, with a rate of 4.5 per 1,000 people. These figures place Freeland at the very top of the safety rankings within West Oxfordshire. The following sections provide a more detailed breakdown of the minor crime patterns present and offer advice for maintaining this high level of security.

Crime Breakdown in Freeland

The most significant crime type in Freeland is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 57.1% of all recorded incidents, with a rate of 10.3 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 14.3% and anti-social behaviour, public order, and burglary, each making up 7.1%. For residents, understanding the impact of property-related crime is also important.

The overall property crime rate in Freeland is very low at 4.5 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary (7.1%) and vehicle crime (3.6%). While property crime is exceptionally low, it still represents over 10% of local criminal activity. For homeowners, this means that while violence is the top category, opportunistic property offences like burglary and vehicle crime are rare but present. Criminal damage and arson also contribute a significant 14.3% to the total, highlighting the need for basic physical security and property vigilance in this very safe village.

Crime Trends in Freeland

Freeland has maintained a positive safety trend over the past year, with overall crime decreasing by 6.7%. Monthly data reveals a very low and stable crime rate, generally fluctuating between 0.7 and 3.9 per 1,000 residents. The highest recorded rate in the last year was 3.9 in August and September 2025, while the lowest was 0.7 in May 2025. This consistent performance indicates that Freeland is not subject to major crime spikes and remains an exceptionally safe environment. The overall reduction in crime volume from an already very low baseline reinforces the village's status as a secure and well-managed community within West Oxfordshire.

How To Keep Safe in Freeland

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Freeland, representing over 57% of all recorded incidents. While the overall volume is exceptionally low, maintaining personal safety awareness is always recommended.

1. Stay Alert in Public: Be aware of your surroundings when walking through the village, particularly at night. Avoid distractions like mobile phones or headphones in quieter or poorly lit areas.
2. Secure Your Property: Criminal damage and arson is the second highest crime type (14.3%). Ensure your perimeter is well-lit and that any outdoor assets are stored securely.
3. Burglary Prevention: Burglary accounts for 7.1% of local incidents. Ensure all entry points are secured, particularly during the afternoon (44% peak) when homes may be unoccupied.
4. Vehicle Vigilance: While vehicle crime is very rare, always double-check that your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display, even for short periods.
5. Community Watch: Participating in local neighbourhood watch schemes is an effective way to stay informed about recent incidents and work with neighbours to keep the community safe.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Freeland

Crime timing in Freeland reveals a clear relationship between the time of day and the nature of the offence. Burglary is primarily a daytime and night-time issue, peaking at 44% in the afternoon and remaining high at 31% during the night. As the day transitions into evening and night, 'other' crimes become more dominant, representing 63% of incidents between 6pm and 12am. Night-time hours (12am to 6am) see a marked shift towards vehicle crime, which rises to 25% of incidents during this period. For Freeland residents, these patterns emphasize that the afternoon is the most critical time for home security, while the overnight period is the primary window for vehicle-related offences and burglary.

In the local West Oxfordshire context, Freeland's crime rate of 18.1 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than neighbouring Long Hanborough (39.6) and North Leigh (44.1). It is slightly more active than the exceptionally quiet village of Combe, which recorded no crimes (0.0) during the same period, but remains much safer than larger settlements like Eynsham (53.6). This highlights Freeland's position as a very safe village within a secure rural cluster, offering an ideal environment for those prioritising a low-crime lifestyle.

Maintaining High Security in Freeland

While Freeland is one of the safest villages in the region with a safety score of 94/100, the property crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents—driven by rare but present burglary and vehicle crime—suggests that opportunistic offences still occur. In such a peaceful area, it can be easy to become complacent. However, traditional reactive security like basic CCTV only captures footage of an incident after it has happened, which is of limited use in preventing the crime itself.

For residents who want to maintain Freeland's high standard of safety, a proactive system like scOS is the most effective choice. scOS uses AI to monitor your property's perimeter, detecting unusual activity before a break-in or vehicle theft can occur. By using autonomous deterrents like integrated lighting and speakers, scOS can warn off potential intruders before they even reach your front door. This proactive approach ensures that your home remains a hardened target, preserving the security of your property in this exceptionally safe West Oxfordshire village.