Crime in West Oxfordshire: statistics, rates and trends
6,008 crimes were recorded in West Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Oxfordshire at a glance
- Crime trends in West Oxfordshire
- Types of crime in West Oxfordshire
- West Oxfordshire compared with nearby districts
- Areas within West Oxfordshire
- Streets with the most crime in West Oxfordshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Oxfordshire
- Population and deprivation in West Oxfordshire
- Questions about crime in West Oxfordshire
- About this data
6,008 crimes were recorded in West Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.7 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 2,632 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, West Oxfordshire has the 294th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Oxfordshire | Oxfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 6,008 | 51,240 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 49.7 | 67.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 120,941 | 763,218 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Oxfordshire was highest in the year to July 2023 (6,864 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (4,639). Over the whole period it rose 30%, 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 | 6,008 | 49.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,977 | 49.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,857 | 48.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,864 | 56.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,513 | 53.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,116 | 50.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 5,375 | 44.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,085 | 42.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,639 | 38.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 536 |
| June 2026 | 534 |
| May 2026 | 542 |
| April 2026 | 443 |
| March 2026 | 443 |
| February 2026 | 458 |
| January 2026 | 477 |
| December 2025 | 498 |
| November 2025 | 510 |
| October 2025 | 477 |
| September 2025 | 519 |
| August 2025 | 571 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West 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 bicycle theft (+47%) and burglary (+18%).
The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-33%) and vehicle crime (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,632 | 21.8 | 0.64 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 704 | 5.8 | 0.38 | -8% |
| Public order | 473 | 3.9 | 0.59 | +13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 464 | 3.8 | 0.57 | -2% |
| Shoplifting | 424 | 3.5 | 0.42 | +14% |
| Other theft | 402 | 3.3 | 0.52 | +0% |
| Burglary | 278 | 2.3 | 0.65 | +18% |
| Vehicle crime | 248 | 2.1 | 0.42 | -31% |
| Other crime | 129 | 1.1 | 0.51 | +10% |
| Drugs | 121 | 1.0 | 0.31 | -17% |
| Bicycle theft | 47 | 0.4 | 0.47 | +47% |
| Robbery | 37 | 0.3 | 0.23 | +9% |
| Theft from the person | 31 | 0.3 | 0.15 | +3% |
| Possession of weapons | 18 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Oxfordshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Oxfordshire recorded 2,632 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 43.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Oxfordshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Oxfordshire recorded 704 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Oxfordshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Oxfordshire recorded 473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Oxfordshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Oxfordshire recorded 464 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Oxfordshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Oxfordshire recorded 424 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Oxfordshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Oxfordshire recorded 402 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Oxfordshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Oxfordshire recorded 278 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Oxfordshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Oxfordshire recorded 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Oxfordshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Oxfordshire recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Oxfordshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Oxfordshire recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Oxfordshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Oxfordshire recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Oxfordshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Oxfordshire recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Oxfordshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Oxfordshire recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Oxfordshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Oxfordshire recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to West Oxfordshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Oxfordshire.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Oxfordshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vale of White Horse | 7,923 | 53.1 | +7% |
| Oxford | 17,736 | 106.8 | +115% |
| Cherwell | 12,246 | 71.9 | +45% |
| Cotswold | 5,406 | 59.0 | +19% |
| Swindon | 19,864 | 81.5 | +64% |
| South Oxfordshire | 7,327 | 46.8 | -6% |
| Cheltenham | 12,806 | 105.2 | +112% |
| Stratford-on-Avon | 9,402 | 64.3 | +29% |
50 areas within West Oxfordshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Witney South had the highest rate (133.1 per 1,000) and Hailey the lowest (18.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witney South | Neighbourhood | 6,388 | 850 | 133.1 |
| Witney Central | Neighbourhood | 6,365 | 478 | 75.1 |
| Witney | Town | 27,501 | 1,837 | 66.8 |
| Chipping Norton | Town | 7,469 | 491 | 65.7 |
| Chipping Norton | Neighbourhood | 7,469 | 491 | 65.7 |
| Carterton South | Neighbourhood | 4,152 | 270 | 65.0 |
| Alvescot and Filkins | Neighbourhood | 1,811 | 106 | 58.5 |
| Chadlington | Town | 1,889 | 108 | 57.2 |
| Chadlington and Churchill | Neighbourhood | 1,889 | 108 | 57.2 |
| Burford | Town | 2,167 | 118 | 54.5 |
| Burford | Neighbourhood | 2,167 | 118 | 54.5 |
| North Leigh | Town | 2,313 | 118 | 51.0 |
| North Leigh | Neighbourhood | 2,313 | 118 | 51.0 |
| Minster Lovell | Town | 1,635 | 79 | 48.3 |
| Ducklington | Town | 3,037 | 145 | 47.7 |
| Ducklington | Neighbourhood | 3,037 | 145 | 47.7 |
| Long Hanborough | Town | 3,782 | 177 | 46.8 |
| Carterton | Town | 19,241 | 875 | 45.5 |
| Kingham, Rollright and Enstone | Neighbourhood | 4,223 | 192 | 45.5 |
| Witney West | Neighbourhood | 6,982 | 315 | 45.1 |
| Carterton North West | Neighbourhood | 6,711 | 294 | 43.8 |
| Brize Norton and Shilton | Neighbourhood | 4,345 | 188 | 43.3 |
| Witney North | Neighbourhood | 3,896 | 167 | 42.9 |
| Eynsham | Town | 6,790 | 290 | 42.7 |
| Eynsham and Cassington | Neighbourhood | 6,790 | 290 | 42.7 |
| Woodstock | Town | 3,243 | 137 | 42.2 |
| Finstock | Town | 1,154 | 48 | 41.6 |
| Aston (West Oxfordshire) | Town | 1,560 | 63 | 40.4 |
| Freeland and Hanborough | Neighbourhood | 5,439 | 217 | 39.9 |
| Charlbury and Finstock | Neighbourhood | 3,893 | 150 | 38.5 |
| Bampton (West Oxfordshire) | Town | 4,663 | 175 | 37.5 |
| Bampton and Clanfield | Neighbourhood | 4,663 | 175 | 37.5 |
| Stonesfield and Tackley | Neighbourhood | 4,532 | 170 | 37.5 |
| Charlbury | Town | 2,739 | 102 | 37.2 |
| Tackley | Town | 1,560 | 58 | 37.2 |
| Woodstock and Bladon | Neighbourhood | 4,954 | 184 | 37.1 |
| Ascott and Shipton | Neighbourhood | 2,216 | 82 | 37.0 |
| Hailey, Minster Lovell and Leafield | Neighbourhood | 4,393 | 161 | 36.6 |
| Milton-under-Wychwood and Shipton-under-Wychwood | Town | 4,572 | 164 | 35.9 |
| Milton-under-Wychwood | Neighbourhood | 2,356 | 82 | 34.8 |
| Carterton North East | Neighbourhood | 5,155 | 177 | 34.3 |
| Standlake, Aston and Stanton Harcourt | Neighbourhood | 4,898 | 166 | 33.9 |
| Stanton Harcourt | Town | 1,704 | 56 | 32.9 |
| Witney East | Neighbourhood | 7,985 | 260 | 32.6 |
| Standlake | Town | 1,634 | 47 | 28.8 |
| Middle Barton | Town | 1,919 | 54 | 28.1 |
| The Bartons | Neighbourhood | 1,919 | 54 | 28.1 |
| Bladon | Town | 1,711 | 47 | 27.5 |
| Freeland | Town | 1,657 | 40 | 24.1 |
| Hailey | Town | 1,137 | 21 | 18.5 |
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 West Oxfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 358 |
| On or near Parking Area | 184 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 119 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 106 |
| On or near Market Square | 85 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 82 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 80 |
| On or near The Green | 73 |
| On or near High Street | 61 |
| On or near Avenue Four | 49 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West 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 | 2,107 | 35.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,671 | 27.8% |
| Not recorded | 704 | 11.7% |
| Under investigation | 614 | 10.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 338 | 5.6% |
| Local resolution | 154 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 137 | 2.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 133 | 2.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 63 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 42 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 33 | 0.5% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 5 | 0.1% |
West Oxfordshire has an estimated population of 120,941. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Oxfordshire sits in decile 7.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.8% |
| Social rented homes | 13.3% |
| Private rented homes | 17.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.9 |
Is West Oxfordshire a safe place to live?
West Oxfordshire recorded 49.7 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 West Oxfordshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,632 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (704).
Is crime in West Oxfordshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Oxfordshire was almost unchanged on the year before: 6,008 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,977 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Oxfordshire?
West 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 West Oxfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.