Crime in Wantage: statistics, rates and trends
864 crimes were recorded in Wantage in the 12 months to July 2026, 62.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 21% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wantage at a glance
- Crime trends in Wantage
- Types of crime in Wantage
- Wantage compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Wantage
- Streets with the most crime in Wantage
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wantage
- Population and deprivation in Wantage
- Questions about crime in Wantage
- About this data
864 crimes were recorded in Wantage in the 12 months to July 2026, 62.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 21% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 369 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wantage has the 910th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wantage | Vale of White Horse | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 864 | 7,923 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 62.9 | 53.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -21% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 13,726 | 149,347 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wantage was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,089 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (701). Over the whole period it rose 0%, 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 | 864 | 62.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,089 | 79.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 922 | 67.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 915 | 66.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,008 | 73.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 759 | 55.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 712 | 51.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 701 | 51.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 862 | 62.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 85 |
| June 2026 | 84 |
| May 2026 | 62 |
| April 2026 | 71 |
| March 2026 | 65 |
| February 2026 | 64 |
| January 2026 | 76 |
| December 2025 | 77 |
| November 2025 | 73 |
| October 2025 | 79 |
| September 2025 | 54 |
| August 2025 | 74 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wantage 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 increases were in burglary (+32%) and other theft (+29%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-66%) and criminal damage and arson (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 369 | 26.9 | 0.79 | -18% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 110 | 8.0 | 0.52 | -31% |
| Public order | 91 | 6.6 | 1.00 | +0% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 67 | 4.9 | 0.72 | -36% |
| Other theft | 67 | 4.9 | 0.76 | +29% |
| Shoplifting | 33 | 2.4 | 0.29 | -66% |
| Drugs | 32 | 2.3 | 0.71 | +10% |
| Burglary | 29 | 2.1 | 0.60 | +32% |
| Other crime | 25 | 1.8 | 0.86 | +47% |
| Vehicle crime | 22 | 1.6 | 0.33 | -35% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.5 | 0.53 | -30% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.4 | 0.26 | +50% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.3 | 0.35 | -56% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.1 | 0.11 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wantage
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wantage recorded 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 42.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wantage
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wantage recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 12.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wantage
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wantage recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wantage
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wantage recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wantage
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wantage recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wantage
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wantage recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 66% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wantage
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wantage recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wantage
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wantage recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wantage
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wantage recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wantage
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wantage recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wantage
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wantage recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wantage
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wantage recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wantage
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wantage recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wantage
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wantage recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Wantage, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wantage.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grove (Vale of White Horse) | 570 | 52.9 | -16% |
| Didcot | 2,222 | 61.4 | -2% |
| Faringdon | 701 | 67.5 | +7% |
| Abingdon-on-Thames | 2,287 | 69.4 | +10% |
| Shrivenham and Watchfield | 329 | 45.0 | -29% |
| Wallingford | 470 | 53.8 | -15% |
| Highworth | 395 | 46.8 | -26% |
| Hungerford | 401 | 65.2 | +4% |
2 areas within Wantage, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Wantage Charlton had the highest rate (66.6 per 1,000) and Wantage & Grove Brook the lowest (55.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wantage Charlton | Neighbourhood | 8,180 | 545 | 66.6 |
| Wantage & Grove Brook | Neighbourhood | 7,302 | 404 | 55.3 |
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 Wantage over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near St Mary'S | 42 |
| On or near Elder Way | 35 |
| On or near Parking Area | 33 |
| On or near Market Place | 32 |
| On or near Springfield Road | 23 |
| On or near Chandlers Close | 23 |
| On or near Cowslip Road | 22 |
| On or near Cherrycroft | 22 |
| On or near The Ivies | 22 |
| On or near The Wharf | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wantage 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 | 290 | 33.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 214 | 24.8% |
| Not recorded | 110 | 12.7% |
| Under investigation | 105 | 12.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 35 | 4.1% |
| Local resolution | 32 | 3.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 23 | 2.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 2.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.5% |
Wantage has an estimated population of 13,726. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wantage sits in decile 8.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wantage |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.7% |
| Social rented homes | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 14.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.1 |
Is Wantage a safe place to live?
Wantage recorded 62.9 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 Wantage?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (110).
Is crime in Wantage going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wantage was down 21% on the year before: 864 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,089 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wantage?
Wantage 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 Wantage. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.