Crime in South Oxfordshire: statistics, rates and trends

7,327 crimes were recorded in South Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.8 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 3,014 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, South Oxfordshire has the 300th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Oxfordshire was highest in the year to July 2022 (8,334 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (6,831). Over the whole period it rose 0%, 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 South 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+122%) and other crime (+46%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-54%) and vehicle crime (-29%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Oxfordshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Oxfordshire recorded 3,014 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 41.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Oxfordshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Oxfordshire recorded 814 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Oxfordshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Oxfordshire recorded 644 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Oxfordshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Oxfordshire recorded 600 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Oxfordshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Oxfordshire recorded 542 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Oxfordshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Oxfordshire recorded 528 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Oxfordshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Oxfordshire recorded 302 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Oxfordshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Oxfordshire recorded 295 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Oxfordshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Oxfordshire recorded 234 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 46% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Oxfordshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Oxfordshire recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Oxfordshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Oxfordshire recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 122% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Oxfordshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Oxfordshire recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Oxfordshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Oxfordshire recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Oxfordshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Oxfordshire recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 54% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

44 areas within South Oxfordshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Didcot West had the highest rate (78.0 per 1,000) and Lower Shiplake the lowest (7.3). 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 South Oxfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South 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.

South Oxfordshire has an estimated population of 156,470. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Oxfordshire sits in decile 8.4, 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 South Oxfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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