Crime in Oxford district: statistics, rates and trends

17,736 crimes were recorded in Oxford district in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,003 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Oxford district has the 84th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Oxford district was highest in the year to July 2023 (18,426 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (16,242). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 Oxford district 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 shoplifting, other theft, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+27%) and anti-social behaviour (+14%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-40%) and theft from the person (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in Oxford district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Oxford district recorded 6,003 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 33.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Oxford district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Oxford district recorded 2,112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Oxford district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Oxford district recorded 1,608 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Oxford district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Oxford district recorded 1,559 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Oxford district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Oxford district recorded 1,494 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Oxford district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Oxford district recorded 1,100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Oxford district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Oxford district recorded 956 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Oxford district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Oxford district recorded 752 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Oxford district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Oxford district recorded 683 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Oxford district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Oxford district recorded 480 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Oxford district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Oxford district recorded 339 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Oxford district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Oxford district recorded 290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Oxford district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Oxford district recorded 245 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Oxford district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Oxford district recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

25 areas within Oxford district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Osney & St Thomas had the highest rate (230.5 per 1,000) and Summertown the lowest (39.6). 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 Oxford district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Oxford district 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.

Oxford district has an estimated population of 166,034. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Oxford district sits in decile 6.9, 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 Oxford district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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