Witney Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Witney during November 2025 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property-related offences, shaped by seasonal and local factors. With a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 20.5% below the UK average of 7.3. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (36.8% of total incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (12.9%) and shoplifting (11.6%). This mix suggests a combination of personal safety concerns and commercial activity, potentially influenced by November’s unique dynamics. The timing of Black Friday shopping, coupled with darker evenings, may have contributed to higher rates of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in public spaces. Conversely, the relatively low levels of burglary (5.2% of total crimes) compared to the UK average suggest that residential areas may have stronger security measures or fewer opportunities for such crimes. This pattern aligns with Witney’s character as a built-up area within West Oxfordshire, where a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces creates a crime environment distinct from more rural or industrial regions. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night, the start of the festive shopping season, and reduced daylight—likely amplifies tensions in public areas and increases opportunities for petty theft. However, direct causal links, and further analysis would be needed to explore these connections in depth.

November 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with three notable trends. Burglary increased by 700% compared to October, rising from one reported incident to eight. This sharp jump may partly explain the overall property crime rate, though it remains below the UK average for burglary. Vehicle crime also surged by 200%, from two to six incidents, potentially linked to increased foot traffic during Black Friday sales or changes in parking patterns. Robbery rates doubled, with three incidents in October rising to six in November, suggesting a possible spike in opportunistic theft during darker evenings. In contrast, drug-related crimes fell by 66.7%, from three to one, while other unspecified crimes dropped by 33.3%, from three to two—though these decreases may reflect underreporting rather than actual reductions. The crime mix also revealed stark contrasts with UK averages: shoplifting in Witney was 11% above the national rate, while robbery was 82% above. This divergence may reflect local factors such as the presence of retail hubs or specific policing strategies. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour was 25% below the UK average, indicating effective community engagement or lower population density in key areas.

Witney’s crime rate in November 2025 was 6.0 per 1,000 in October, a 3.0% decrease to 5.8 per 1,000—a small but notable improvement. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately five crimes per day over the month, translating to one reported crime for roughly every 173 residents. This monthly exposure rate provides context for residents, showing that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is relatively low compared to larger urban centres. With a population of 26,834, the absolute number of crimes (155) remains modest, suggesting that Witney’s built-up area may have effective crime prevention measures or a lower density of high-risk environments. However, the sharp increase in burglary and robbery highlights localized vulnerabilities that could warrant closer attention. Comparing this to the UK average, Witney’s overall rate remains significantly lower, but specific categories like shoplifting and robbery show divergence. This contrast underscores the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to local patterns rather than relying solely on national benchmarks. For residents, the data suggests that while the area is generally safer than the UK average, targeted efforts to address rising burglary and robbery rates could further reduce risks in vulnerable areas.