Crime in Blackbird Leys: statistics, rates and trends
728 crimes were recorded in Blackbird Leys in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Blackbird Leys at a glance
- Crime trends in Blackbird Leys
- Types of crime in Blackbird Leys
- Blackbird Leys compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Blackbird Leys
- What happened after crimes were reported in Blackbird Leys
- Population and deprivation in Blackbird Leys
- Questions about crime in Blackbird Leys
- About this data
728 crimes were recorded in Blackbird Leys in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 270 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Blackbird Leys has the 1,024th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Blackbird Leys | Oxford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 728 | 17,736 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 109.2 | 106.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -11% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 6,665 | 166,034 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Blackbird Leys was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,051 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (728). Over the whole period it fell 19%, 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 | 728 | 109.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 816 | 122.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 859 | 128.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 902 | 135.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,051 | 157.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 991 | 148.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 897 | 134.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 930 | 139.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 896 | 134.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 68 |
| June 2026 | 64 |
| May 2026 | 72 |
| April 2026 | 88 |
| March 2026 | 55 |
| February 2026 | 48 |
| January 2026 | 48 |
| December 2025 | 64 |
| November 2025 | 59 |
| October 2025 | 64 |
| September 2025 | 54 |
| August 2025 | 44 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Blackbird Leys 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, public order, other theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+33%) and bicycle theft (+10%). The largest falls were in burglary (-52%) and vehicle crime (-50%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 270 | 40.5 | 1.18 | -10% |
| Shoplifting | 108 | 16.2 | 1.96 | +33% |
| Public order | 71 | 10.7 | 1.60 | +0% |
| Other theft | 55 | 8.3 | 1.29 | -25% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 54 | 8.1 | 1.19 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 46 | 6.9 | 0.45 | -21% |
| Drugs | 28 | 4.2 | 1.28 | -43% |
| Bicycle theft | 22 | 3.3 | 4.01 | +10% |
| Robbery | 21 | 3.2 | 2.33 | +75% |
| Vehicle crime | 18 | 2.7 | 0.55 | -50% |
| Other crime | 14 | 2.1 | 0.99 | +56% |
| Burglary | 13 | 2.0 | 0.55 | -52% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.6 | 0.62 | -71% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.6 | 0.36 | -43% |
Violence and sexual offences in Blackbird Leys
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Blackbird Leys recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 37.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Blackbird Leys
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Blackbird Leys recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Blackbird Leys
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Blackbird Leys recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Blackbird Leys
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Blackbird Leys recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Blackbird Leys
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Blackbird Leys recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Blackbird Leys
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Blackbird Leys recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Blackbird Leys
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Blackbird Leys recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Blackbird Leys
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Blackbird Leys recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Blackbird Leys
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Blackbird Leys recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Blackbird Leys
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Blackbird Leys recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Blackbird Leys
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Blackbird Leys recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Blackbird Leys
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Blackbird Leys recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Blackbird Leys
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Blackbird Leys recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Blackbird Leys
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Blackbird Leys recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Blackbird Leys, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Blackbird Leys.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Blackbird Leys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield Brook | 690 | 98.1 | -10% |
| Cowley | 1,166 | 127.6 | +17% |
| Littlemore | 1,129 | 171.1 | +57% |
| Temple Cowley | 288 | 77.5 | -29% |
| Lye Valley | 682 | 77.7 | -29% |
| Rose Hill & Iffley | 640 | 89.7 | -18% |
| Donnington | 735 | 82.7 | -24% |
| Churchill | 721 | 89.6 | -18% |
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 Blackbird Leys over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Ambassador Avenue | 72 |
| On or near Druce Way | 57 |
| On or near Bobby Fryer Close | 51 |
| On or near Tucker Road | 47 |
| On or near Erica Close | 43 |
| On or near Parking Area | 35 |
| On or near Crowberry Road | 25 |
| On or near Ashmole Place | 25 |
| On or near Moorbank | 19 |
| On or near Pegasus Road | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Blackbird Leys 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 231 | 31.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 219 | 30.1% |
| Under investigation | 102 | 14.0% |
| Not recorded | 46 | 6.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 35 | 4.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 32 | 4.4% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 2.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 2.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 1.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 2 | 0.3% |
Blackbird Leys has an estimated population of 6,665. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Blackbird Leys sits in decile 2.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Blackbird Leys |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 65.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 37.2% |
| Social rented homes | 47.8% |
| Private rented homes | 14.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.8 |
Is Blackbird Leys a safe place to live?
Blackbird Leys recorded 109.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Blackbird Leys?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (108).
Is crime in Blackbird Leys going up or down?
Recorded crime in Blackbird Leys was down 11% on the year before: 728 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 816 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Blackbird Leys?
Blackbird Leys 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 Blackbird Leys. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.