Witney Crime Rate

Witney is a safe and secure urban settlement within the West Oxfordshire local authority, with crime statistics that compare favourably to the national average. The area has an overall crime rate of 74.3 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 93.1. This is supported by an impressive safety score of 82/100, above the national benchmark of 78. However, recent data shows that the crime trend in Witney is increasing, showing a 9.4% rise year-over-year. While the town remains secure, this upward movement suggests a need for increased awareness among residents and businesses. Despite the recent increase, Witney's overall safety profile remains strong compared to many other urban areas in the region.

In Witney, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 44.4% of all reported incidents with 885 cases. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 15.2%, followed by shoplifting at 10.5%. Property-related crime overall—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—maintains a rate of 21.7 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, indicating that Witney is a relatively secure area for property owners. However, criminal damage and arson are notable localized issues, accounting for 8.2% of total crime. Other theft also accounts for 5.4% of offences. For homeowners and residents, these statistics mean that while the overall risk is low, opportunistic theft, shoplifting, and personal safety remain the primary concerns that require consistent vigilance.

The crime trend in Witney is currently increasing, with a 9.4% rise year-over-year. Monthly data from the past year shows that the crime rate was relatively consistent, with a low of 4.7 per 1,000 in November 2024. The rate began to climb in early 2025 and reached a significant peak of 7.5 per 1,000 in March 2025. This was followed by a moderation in the spring, but the rate rose again during the summer months, peaking at 6.8 per 1,000 in August 2025. By October 2025, the rate moderated to 6.0 per 1,000. This overall upward trajectory across the year suggests a general increase in reported incidents. For residents, this trend indicates that while Witney remains safer than many other areas, there is a need for continued vigilance and proactive security measures to counter the rising number of offences.

How To Keep Safe in Witney

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Witney, so personal safety should be a priority for residents. When walking through the town centre after dark, it is advisable to stay in well-lit, busy areas and avoid isolated shortcuts. Letting someone know your expected arrival time can provide extra peace of mind. Shoplifting and theft are also notable issues locally, particularly during the afternoon hours. Residents should remain vigilant with personal belongings in crowded retail areas. For property owners, ensuring that all outbuildings, sheds, and garages are securely locked is essential to prevent opportunistic theft. Although vehicle crime is low, standard precautions such as locking cars and not leaving valuables on display are still recommended. Since anti-social behaviour is another factor, reporting any recurring issues to local authorities can help them target their presence effectively. Engaging with neighbours and joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme can further enhance community security through collective vigilance.

Crime Timing in Witney

Crime in Witney shows distinct temporal patterns, particularly regarding theft and other offences. During the afternoon hours between 12pm and 6pm, theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 47% of incidents in that period. This suggests that retail areas are most active for opportunistic crime during the day. In the evening (6pm-12am), burglary accounts for 7%, while "other" offences peak at 68%. During the night-time hours between 12am and 6am, the focus shifts toward a mix of vehicle crime (18%) and other offences (60%). Morning hours also see a high percentage of theft (46%) and other offences (44%). These patterns indicate that while property security is important throughout the day, different types of risk peak at different times. Understanding these high-activity windows allows residents to be more vigilant and ensure their security measures are most effective when they are needed most.

In the local West Oxfordshire region, Witney's crime rate of 74.3 per 1,000 residents positions it as the most active urban centre compared to its immediate neighbours. Nearby Ducklington reports a rate of 58.5, while Hailey shows a much lower rate of 15.4. Curbridge and Delly End both report crime rates of 0.0 in this dataset. This makes Witney the primary commercial and residential hub for the area. However, even with its higher relative rate, Witney remains safer than the national average, offering a secure urban environment with excellent amenities and a safety profile that is characteristic of the Oxfordshire market towns.

In Witney, where the crime trend has seen a 9.4% increase and property crime sits at 21.7 per 1,000, homeowners should consider a more robust approach to security. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they record footage after a crime has already occurred, which often does little to prevent the incident. For real protection, a proactive system is superior. scOS offers an AI-powered security operating system that identifies potential threats at the property boundary. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can detect suspicious activity and engage autonomous responses—such as activating floodlights or audible alerts—to deter an intruder before they attempt to break in or steal property. This proactive detection is designed to destroy the element of surprise that criminals rely on. By making the property an unappealing target within the first 60 seconds, scOS prevents crimes from happening rather than just documenting them. For Witney residents, this professional-grade prevention is a vital tool.