Crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire: statistics, rates and trends
162 crimes were recorded in Watlington, South Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 38.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 19% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire at a glance
- Crime trends in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
- Types of crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
- Watlington, South Oxfordshire compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
- Population and deprivation in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
- Questions about crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
- About this data
162 crimes were recorded in Watlington, South Oxfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 38.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 19% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 68 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Watlington, South Oxfordshire has the 3,484th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Watlington, South Oxfordshire | South Oxfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 162 | 7,327 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 38.9 | 46.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -19% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 4,163 | 156,470 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire was highest in the year to July 2024 (212 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (162). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 | 162 | 38.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 200 | 48.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 212 | 50.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 178 | 42.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 201 | 48.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 198 | 47.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 171 | 41.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 173 | 41.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 196 | 47.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 20 |
| June 2026 | 16 |
| May 2026 | 11 |
| April 2026 | 17 |
| March 2026 | 9 |
| February 2026 | 18 |
| January 2026 | 11 |
| December 2025 | 7 |
| November 2025 | 15 |
| October 2025 | 20 |
| September 2025 | 4 |
| August 2025 | 14 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Watlington, 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 falls were in vehicle crime (-57%) and violence and sexual offences (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 68 | 16.3 | 0.48 | -25% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 20 | 4.8 | 0.71 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 18 | 4.3 | 0.28 | +157% |
| Public order | 14 | 3.4 | 0.51 | -7% |
| Other theft | 11 | 2.6 | 0.41 | -15% |
| Vehicle crime | 10 | 2.4 | 0.49 | -57% |
| Drugs | 7 | 1.7 | 0.51 | +40% |
| Burglary | 4 | 1.0 | 0.27 | -33% |
| Other crime | 4 | 1.0 | 0.46 | -56% |
| Shoplifting | 3 | 0.7 | 0.09 | -67% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.5 | 0.36 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.2 | 0.25 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 42.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 157% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 14 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 7% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 2 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Watlington, South Oxfordshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Watlington, South Oxfordshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Watlington, South Oxfordshire.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Watlington, South Oxfordshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chalgrove | 116 | 37.4 | -4% |
| Benson & Crowmarsh | 323 | 32.1 | -18% |
| Chinnor | 391 | 36.7 | -6% |
| Wallingford | 470 | 53.8 | +38% |
| Woodcote & Rotherfield | 452 | 43.3 | +11% |
| Thame | 704 | 52.0 | +34% |
| Berinsfield | 186 | 59.0 | +52% |
| Cholsey | 327 | 33.8 | -13% |
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 Watlington, South Oxfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Cuxham Road | 17 |
| On or near Barley Close | 12 |
| On or near Windmill Piece | 9 |
| On or near Supermarket | 8 |
| On or near Parking Area | 8 |
| On or near Willow Close | 7 |
| On or near Court Close | 7 |
| On or near Hill Road | 6 |
| On or near Chapel Street | 6 |
| On or near Watcombe Road | 6 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Watlington, 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 50 | 30.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 42 | 25.9% |
| Under investigation | 25 | 15.4% |
| Not recorded | 18 | 11.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 12 | 7.4% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1 | 0.6% |
Watlington, South Oxfordshire has an estimated population of 4,163. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Watlington, South Oxfordshire sits in decile 8.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Watlington, South Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.4% |
| Social rented homes | 11.2% |
| Private rented homes | 18.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.0 |
Is Watlington, South Oxfordshire a safe place to live?
Watlington, South Oxfordshire recorded 38.9 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 Watlington, South Oxfordshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (20).
Is crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Watlington, South Oxfordshire was down 19% on the year before: 162 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 200 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Watlington, South Oxfordshire?
Watlington, South 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 Watlington, South Oxfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.