Crime in Cowley: statistics, rates and trends
1,166 crimes were recorded in Cowley in the 12 months to July 2026, 127.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,166 crimes were recorded in Cowley in the 12 months to July 2026, 127.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 318 reports (27% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Cowley has the 718th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Cowley | Oxford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,166 | 17,736 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 127.6 | 106.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 9,138 | 166,034 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Cowley was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,360 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,033). Over the whole period it rose 13%, 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 | 1,166 | 127.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,257 | 137.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,187 | 129.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,265 | 138.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,360 | 148.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,135 | 124.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,110 | 121.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,105 | 120.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,033 | 113.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 115 |
| June 2026 | 112 |
| May 2026 | 82 |
| April 2026 | 111 |
| March 2026 | 84 |
| February 2026 | 74 |
| January 2026 | 102 |
| December 2025 | 84 |
| November 2025 | 89 |
| October 2025 | 86 |
| September 2025 | 100 |
| August 2025 | 127 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cowley 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 burglary (+52%) and other crime (+36%). The largest falls were in drugs (-59%) and shoplifting (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 318 | 34.8 | 1.02 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 166 | 18.2 | 2.19 | -29% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 161 | 17.6 | 1.15 | +34% |
| Other theft | 88 | 9.6 | 1.51 | +13% |
| Public order | 87 | 9.5 | 1.43 | +9% |
| Vehicle crime | 74 | 8.1 | 1.64 | -8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 62 | 6.8 | 1.00 | -11% |
| Bicycle theft | 60 | 6.6 | 7.98 | -17% |
| Drugs | 44 | 4.8 | 1.47 | -59% |
| Burglary | 35 | 3.8 | 1.08 | +52% |
| Other crime | 30 | 3.3 | 1.55 | +36% |
| Robbery | 20 | 2.2 | 1.62 | +43% |
| Theft from the person | 14 | 1.5 | 0.91 | +17% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.8 | 0.79 | -53% |
Violence and sexual offences in Cowley
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cowley recorded 318 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 27.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Cowley
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cowley recorded 166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 14.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Cowley
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cowley recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 13.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Cowley
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cowley recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Cowley
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cowley recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Cowley
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cowley recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Cowley
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cowley recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Cowley
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cowley recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Cowley
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cowley recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 59% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Cowley
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cowley recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Cowley
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cowley recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Cowley
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cowley recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Cowley
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cowley recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Cowley
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cowley recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Cowley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cowley.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Cowley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Cowley | 288 | 77.5 | -39% |
| Rose Hill & Iffley | 640 | 89.7 | -30% |
| Littlemore | 1,129 | 171.1 | +34% |
| Donnington | 735 | 82.7 | -35% |
| Lye Valley | 682 | 77.7 | -39% |
| Blackbird Leys | 728 | 109.2 | -14% |
| Northfield Brook | 690 | 98.1 | -23% |
| St Mary's | 761 | 104.9 | -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 Cowley over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 164 |
| On or near Parking Area | 141 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 130 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 59 |
| On or near Banjo Road | 58 |
| On or near St Omer Road | 53 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 48 |
| On or near Boswell Road | 32 |
| On or near Knolles Road | 28 |
| On or near Bartholomew Road | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cowley 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 | 354 | 30.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 270 | 23.2% |
| Not recorded | 161 | 13.8% |
| Under investigation | 139 | 11.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 80 | 6.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 46 | 3.9% |
| Local resolution | 44 | 3.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 43 | 3.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.6% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 4 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
Cowley has an estimated population of 9,138. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cowley sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Cowley |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 69.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.9% |
| Social rented homes | 11.2% |
| Private rented homes | 31.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 |
Is Cowley a safe place to live?
Cowley recorded 127.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Cowley?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 318 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (166).
Is crime in Cowley going up or down?
Recorded crime in Cowley was down 7% on the year before: 1,166 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,257 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Cowley?
Cowley 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 Cowley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.