Crime in Cherwell: statistics, rates and trends

12,246 crimes were recorded in Cherwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,980 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Cherwell has the 215th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cherwell was highest in the year to July 2022 (13,948 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (10,245). Over the whole period it rose 8%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cherwell 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+59%) and bicycle theft (+27%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-29%) and vehicle crime (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cherwell

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cherwell recorded 4,980 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 40.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cherwell

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cherwell recorded 1,490 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cherwell

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cherwell recorded 1,211 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cherwell

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cherwell recorded 988 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cherwell

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cherwell recorded 899 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cherwell

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cherwell recorded 837 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cherwell

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cherwell recorded 445 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 26% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cherwell

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cherwell recorded 438 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cherwell

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cherwell recorded 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cherwell

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cherwell recorded 256 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 7% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cherwell

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cherwell recorded 127 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 59% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cherwell

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cherwell recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cherwell

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cherwell recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cherwell

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cherwell recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Cherwell, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cherwell.

33 areas within Cherwell, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Banbury Cross and Neithrop had the highest rate (190.1 per 1,000) and Hook Norton the lowest (26.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Cherwell over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cherwell 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.

Cherwell has an estimated population of 170,426. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cherwell sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Cherwell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.