Crime in Oxfordshire: statistics, rates and trends
51,240 crimes were recorded in Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Oxfordshire at a glance
- Crime trends in Oxfordshire
- Types of crime in Oxfordshire
- Oxfordshire compared with nearby counties
- Areas within Oxfordshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Oxfordshire
- Population and deprivation in Oxfordshire
- Questions about crime in Oxfordshire
- About this data
51,240 crimes were recorded in Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 19,915 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Oxfordshire has the 18th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Oxfordshire | South East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 51,240 | 784,242 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 67.1 | 81.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 763,218 | 9,642,942 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Oxfordshire was highest in the year to July 2023 (55,065 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (45,245). Over the whole period it rose 11%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 51,240 | 67.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 51,974 | 68.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 52,077 | 68.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 55,065 | 72.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 54,818 | 71.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 50,883 | 66.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 46,298 | 60.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 45,245 | 59.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 46,068 | 60.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 4,976 |
| June 2026 | 4,500 |
| May 2026 | 4,454 |
| April 2026 | 4,243 |
| March 2026 | 4,076 |
| February 2026 | 3,897 |
| January 2026 | 3,979 |
| December 2025 | 3,972 |
| November 2025 | 4,228 |
| October 2025 | 4,200 |
| September 2025 | 4,238 |
| August 2025 | 4,477 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Oxfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in robbery (+29%) and other crime (+17%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-32%) and theft from the person (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 19,915 | 26.1 | 0.76 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 5,319 | 7.0 | 0.45 | +7% |
| Shoplifting | 5,057 | 6.6 | 0.80 | -13% |
| Public order | 4,191 | 5.5 | 0.83 | +1% |
| Other theft | 4,002 | 5.2 | 0.82 | -2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 3,659 | 4.8 | 0.71 | -1% |
| Vehicle crime | 1,997 | 2.6 | 0.53 | -18% |
| Burglary | 1,852 | 2.4 | 0.69 | +0% |
| Drugs | 1,531 | 2.0 | 0.61 | -13% |
| Bicycle theft | 1,262 | 1.7 | 2.01 | -3% |
| Other crime | 1,122 | 1.5 | 0.70 | +17% |
| Robbery | 518 | 0.7 | 0.50 | +29% |
| Theft from the person | 518 | 0.7 | 0.40 | -31% |
| Possession of weapons | 297 | 0.4 | 0.40 | -32% |
Violence and sexual offences in Oxfordshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Oxfordshire recorded 19,915 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 38.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Oxfordshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Oxfordshire recorded 5,319 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Oxfordshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Oxfordshire recorded 5,057 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Oxfordshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Oxfordshire recorded 4,191 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Oxfordshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Oxfordshire recorded 4,002 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Oxfordshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Oxfordshire recorded 3,659 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Oxfordshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Oxfordshire recorded 1,997 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Oxfordshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Oxfordshire recorded 1,852 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Oxfordshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Oxfordshire recorded 1,531 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Oxfordshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Oxfordshire recorded 1,262 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Oxfordshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Oxfordshire recorded 1,122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Oxfordshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Oxfordshire recorded 518 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Oxfordshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Oxfordshire recorded 518 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Oxfordshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Oxfordshire recorded 297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the counties closest to Oxfordshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Oxfordshire.
| County | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Oxfordshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 55,492 | 82.9 | +23% |
| Warwickshire | 51,918 | 82.1 | +22% |
| Hertfordshire | 105,683 | 85.5 | +27% |
| Surrey | 87,826 | 70.3 | +5% |
| Worcestershire | 48,342 | 77.8 | +16% |
| Hampshire | 93,230 | 64.4 | -4% |
| Leicestershire | 50,893 | 68.3 | +2% |
| Cambridgeshire | 54,491 | 76.7 | +14% |
5 areas within Oxfordshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Oxford had the highest rate (106.8 per 1,000) and South Oxfordshire the lowest (46.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | District | 166,034 | 17,736 | 106.8 |
| Cherwell | District | 170,426 | 12,246 | 71.9 |
| Vale of White Horse | District | 149,347 | 7,923 | 53.1 |
| West Oxfordshire | District | 120,941 | 6,008 | 49.7 |
| South Oxfordshire | District | 156,470 | 7,327 | 46.8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Oxfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 15,931 | 31.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 15,249 | 29.8% |
| Under investigation | 5,857 | 11.4% |
| Not recorded | 5,319 | 10.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 2,442 | 4.8% |
| Local resolution | 1,907 | 3.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1,838 | 3.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1,072 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 844 | 1.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 343 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 321 | 0.6% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 52 | 0.1% |
Oxfordshire has an estimated population of 763,218. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Oxfordshire sits in decile 7.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.1% |
| Social rented homes | 14.7% |
| Private rented homes | 20.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 0.4% |
Is Oxfordshire a safe place to live?
Oxfordshire recorded 67.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Oxfordshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 19,915 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (5,319).
Is crime in Oxfordshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Oxfordshire was down 1% on the year before: 51,240 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 51,974 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Oxfordshire?
Oxfordshire is policed by Thames Valley. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Oxfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.