Crime in Olney: statistics, rates and trends

318 crimes were recorded in Olney in the 12 months to July 2026, 40.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than 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 129 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Olney has the 1,297th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Olney was highest in the year to July 2022 (341 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (233). Over the whole period it rose 36%, 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 Olney 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 violence and sexual offences (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Olney

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Olney recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 40.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Olney

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Olney recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 128% on the year before. It made up 12.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Olney

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Olney recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Olney

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Olney recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Olney

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Olney recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Olney

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Olney recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Olney

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Olney recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Olney

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Olney recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 125% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Olney

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Olney recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Olney

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Olney recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Olney

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Olney recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

1 areas within Olney, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Olney had the highest rate (44.3 per 1,000) and Olney the lowest (44.3). 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 Olney over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Olney 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.

Olney has an estimated population of 7,849. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Olney 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 Olney. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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