Crime in Headington: statistics, rates and trends

1,118 crimes were recorded in Headington in the 12 months to July 2026, 120.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 365 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Headington has the 825th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Headington was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,118 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (736). Over the whole period it rose 52%, 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 Headington 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 public order (+34%) and bicycle theft (+27%). The largest falls were in burglary (-37%).

Violence and sexual offences in Headington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Headington recorded 365 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 32.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Headington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Headington recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 15.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Headington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Headington recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Headington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Headington recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Headington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Headington recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Headington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Headington recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Headington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Headington recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Headington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Headington recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Headington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Headington recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Headington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Headington recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Headington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Headington recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 160% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Headington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Headington recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Headington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Headington recorded 6 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 up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Headington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Headington recorded 6 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 14% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Headington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Headington 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.

Headington has an estimated population of 9,300. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Headington 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 Headington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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