Crime in Oxford: statistics, rates and trends

17,654 crimes were recorded in Oxford in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,963 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Oxford has the 316th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Oxford was highest in the year to July 2025 (18,369 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (16,241). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 Oxford 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 robbery (+26%) and anti-social behaviour (+14%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-41%) and theft from the person (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in Oxford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Oxford recorded 5,963 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 33.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Oxford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Oxford recorded 2,122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Oxford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Oxford recorded 1,584 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Oxford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Oxford recorded 1,558 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Oxford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Oxford recorded 1,487 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Oxford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Oxford recorded 1,074 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Oxford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Oxford recorded 963 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Oxford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Oxford recorded 748 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Oxford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Oxford recorded 671 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Oxford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Oxford recorded 509 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Oxford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Oxford recorded 338 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Oxford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Oxford recorded 279 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Oxford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Oxford recorded 245 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Oxford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Oxford recorded 113 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 41% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

25 areas within Oxford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Osney & St Thomas had the highest rate (230.5 per 1,000) and Cumnor the lowest (29.1). 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 Oxford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Oxford 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.

Oxford has an estimated population of 170,195. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Oxford sits in decile 7.0, 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 Oxford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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