Middle Barton Crime Rate

Middle Barton is a highly secure and peaceful village with an overall crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000 residents. This figure is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an excellent safety score of 92/100. However, the village has seen a significant 54.1% increase in crime year-over-year, a trend that suggests residents should enhance their security measures despite the high overall safety rating. For the 1,958 residents, Middle Barton offers a much more secure environment than most regional hubs. The property crime rate is 12.2 per 1,000 people, which is also well below national benchmarks. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime patterns and practical safety advice.

Crime Breakdown in Middle Barton

Middle Barton's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.1% of all recorded incidents, with a rate of 12.3 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by vehicle crime at 17.5% and burglary at 12.3%. For homeowners and residents, understanding the impact of property crime is essential.

The combined property crime rate in Middle Barton is 12.2 per 1,000 people. This includes vehicle crime, burglary, other theft, and theft from the person. Vehicle crime is the most significant property-related concern, contributing over 17% to the total crime volume. Burglary is also notably higher than in some neighbouring villages, representing 12.3% of local incidents. When combined with other theft and criminal damage, it is clear that property-related offences are a primary factor in the village's safety landscape. For residents, this indicates that while the area is very safe, securing physical assets—particularly vehicles and residential properties—is a key priority for maintaining local security.

Crime Trends in Middle Barton

Middle Barton has seen a significant 54.1% increase in overall crime over the past year. Monthly data reveals a relatively volatile crime rate, generally fluctuating between 1.0 and 5.1 per 1,000 residents, with a notable peak in May 2025 reaching 4.1 and November 2024 at 5.1. Following these peaks, the rate stabilized somewhat, ending at 3.1 in October 2025. This significant upward trend indicates that Middle Barton is experiencing a period of increased criminal activity from a very low baseline. While the overall volume is still low, the year-over-year rise suggests that residents should be more proactive about security and community vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Middle Barton

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

1. Vehicle Security: With vehicle crime being the second highest category (17.5%), always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display. Use a garage if available.
2. Burglary Prevention: Burglary accounts for over 12% of local incidents. Ensure all entry points are secured, particularly during the afternoon (49% peak) when homes may be unoccupied.
3. 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.
4. Report ASB: While anti-social behaviour is lower at 5.3%, reporting any persistent issues to the local authorities helps maintain the village's peaceful environment.
5. Community Connection: Engage with local neighbourhood watch schemes. In a village like Middle Barton, residents looking out for one another is one of the most effective ways to maintain high safety standards.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Middle Barton

Crime timing in Middle Barton shows a clear relationship between the time of day and the nature of the offence. Theft is primarily a daytime issue, making up 28% of morning crimes and 33% of afternoon crimes. As the day transitions into evening and night, the focus shifts significantly towards vehicle crime. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 45% of incidents, and this rises sharply to 68% during the night-time hours of 12am to 6am. Burglary peaks dramatically during the afternoon (49%) and evening (39%). For Middle Barton 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.

In the local West Oxfordshire context, Middle Barton's crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000 people is notably safer than nearby Bletchingdon (39.0) but is more active than the exceptionally quiet surrounding villages of Duns Tew, Gagingwell, and Steeple Aston, all of which recorded no crimes (0.0) during the same period. This indicates that Middle Barton is a moderately active but very safe village within a very low-crime rural cluster. It remains a secure and attractive location for those seeking a village lifestyle.

Proactive Home Security in Middle Barton

With a property crime rate of 12.2 per 1,000 residents and a recent 54.1% increase in overall crime, taking steps to secure your home in Middle Barton is a sensible priority. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY alarms, are often reactive; they only alert you or provide footage after a crime has already taken place.

A proactive approach is far more effective. The scOS operating system uses AI to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach your front door. Unlike basic systems, scOS can intervene autonomously with integrated lights and audio to deter an intruder immediately. In a village like Middle Barton, where burglary and vehicle crime make up a significant portion of local activity, the visible and intelligent deterrence provided by scOS can ensure that criminals move on to easier targets, keeping your property and family safe during this period of increasing activity.