Witney Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In June 2024, Witney's crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents placed it 23.2% below the UK average, a position that reflects the town's character as a low-density built-up area within West Oxfordshire. This rate translates to a daily risk of approximately 6 crimes per 26,834 residents, a figure that, while not negligible, is significantly lower than the national average. The breakdown of crimes highlights a notable concentration in violent incidents—violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.2% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 2.4 per 1,000 (13% below UK average). This suggests that personal safety in public spaces remains a key concern for residents, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic such as the town centre. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 17.7% of crimes (1.1 per 1,000, 21% below UK average), a pattern consistent with seasonal fluctuations as summer begins. Public order offences (10.0%) and shoplifting (9.4%) further illustrate the interplay between local demographics and economic factors, with retail areas likely contributing to the latter. The seasonal context of June—longer days and the start of tourist activity—may explain some of the volatility in anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, though Witney's overall crime profile remains markedly safer than the UK average. This suggests that while the town's proximity to Oxford and its role as a market town with a mix of rural and urban features may influence crime patterns, its lower population density and community-oriented policing likely contribute to its comparatively low rates.

June 2024 saw a 300% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This jump, though small in absolute terms, may signal heightened activity in Witney's limited commercial zones during summer. Anti-social behaviour surged by 130.8%, with 30 incidents reported—nearly double the previous month's count. This rise, coupled with the 2.4% rate for vehicle crime (56% below UK average), suggests a shift in criminal focus toward public spaces rather than property. Possession of weapons in Witney was 186% above the UK average (0.2 vs 0.1 per 1,000), a rare outlier in an otherwise safer-than-average area. This discrepancy may reflect local enforcement priorities or unreported incidents. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 14.3%, linked to seasonal factors such as reduced vandalism during warmer weather. For residents, the most immediate concern remains violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 38.2% of all crimes—a rate 13% below the UK average, but still representing a significant proportion of local incidents.

Witney's crime rate in June 2024 rose by 20.8% compared to May 2024, moving from 5.3 to 6.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects shifts in local patterns. On a daily basis, 6 crimes were reported across the built-up area in June, a figure that contextualises the rate as roughly one crime for every 158 residents over the month. When scaled to individual experience, this means that for every resident, the likelihood of being directly affected by crime in June was approximately 0.0063, a figure that, while low, underscores the importance of vigilance in public spaces. The local context—Witney's position as a market town with a mix of rural and urban characteristics—may explain the balance between property crimes and violent incidents. Unlike larger urban centres, where vehicle crime might dominate, Witney's 0.2 per 1,000 rate for vehicle crime (56% below UK average) aligns with its lower density and fewer commercial parking areas. However, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour (+130.8%) suggests a seasonal influence, linked to increased foot traffic during the start of the summer season.