Crime in Banbury: statistics, rates and trends

5,418 crimes were recorded in Banbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 2,276 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Banbury has the 373rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Banbury was highest in the year to July 2022 (6,450 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (4,601). Over the whole period it rose 5%, 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 Banbury 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 public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+45%) and bicycle theft (+41%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-35%) and vehicle crime (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Banbury

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Banbury recorded 2,276 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 42.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Banbury

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Banbury recorded 617 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Banbury

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Banbury recorded 519 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Banbury

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Banbury recorded 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Banbury

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Banbury recorded 424 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Banbury

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Banbury recorded 297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Banbury

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Banbury recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Banbury

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Banbury recorded 163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Banbury

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Banbury recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Banbury

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Banbury recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Banbury

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Banbury recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Banbury

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Banbury recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Banbury

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Banbury recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Banbury

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Banbury recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Banbury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Banbury Cross and Neithrop had the highest rate (190.1 per 1,000) and Cropredy, Sibfords and Wroxton the lowest (43.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Banbury over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Banbury 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.

Banbury has an estimated population of 54,956. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Banbury sits in decile 6.0, close to the middle. 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 Banbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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