Crime in Witney: statistics, rates and trends
1,837 crimes were recorded in Witney in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
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1,837 crimes were recorded in Witney in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 764 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Witney has the 843rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Witney | West Oxfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,837 | 6,008 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 66.8 | 49.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 27,501 | 120,941 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Witney was highest in the year to July 2022 (2,263 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,675). Over the whole period it rose 10%, 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 | 1,837 | 66.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,967 | 71.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,886 | 68.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,211 | 80.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,263 | 82.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,846 | 67.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,769 | 64.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,758 | 63.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,675 | 60.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 159 |
| June 2026 | 141 |
| May 2026 | 170 |
| April 2026 | 133 |
| March 2026 | 137 |
| February 2026 | 121 |
| January 2026 | 138 |
| December 2025 | 165 |
| November 2025 | 155 |
| October 2025 | 160 |
| September 2025 | 177 |
| August 2025 | 181 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Witney 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 bicycle theft.
The largest falls were in drugs (-49%) and anti-social behaviour (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 764 | 27.8 | 0.81 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 242 | 8.8 | 0.57 | -20% |
| Shoplifting | 221 | 8.0 | 0.97 | +5% |
| Public order | 168 | 6.1 | 0.92 | +8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 142 | 5.2 | 0.76 | -5% |
| Other theft | 105 | 3.8 | 0.60 | +3% |
| Burglary | 36 | 1.3 | 0.37 | -3% |
| Vehicle crime | 35 | 1.3 | 0.26 | +3% |
| Other crime | 34 | 1.2 | 0.59 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 30 | 1.1 | 1.33 | +58% |
| Robbery | 22 | 0.8 | 0.59 | +47% |
| Drugs | 21 | 0.8 | 0.23 | -49% |
| Theft from the person | 13 | 0.5 | 0.28 | +30% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -56% |
Violence and sexual offences in Witney
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Witney recorded 764 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 41.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Witney
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Witney recorded 242 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Witney
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Witney recorded 221 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Witney
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Witney recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Witney
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Witney recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Witney
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Witney recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Witney
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Witney recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Witney
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Witney recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Witney
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Witney recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Witney
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Witney recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Witney
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Witney recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Witney
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Witney recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Witney
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Witney recorded 13 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 up 30% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Witney
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Witney recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Witney, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Witney.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Witney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eynsham | 290 | 42.7 | -36% |
| Carterton | 875 | 45.5 | -32% |
| Kidlington | 942 | 59.1 | -12% |
| Faringdon | 701 | 67.5 | +1% |
| Chipping Norton | 491 | 65.7 | -2% |
| Oxford | 17,654 | 103.7 | +55% |
| Abingdon-on-Thames | 2,287 | 69.4 | +4% |
| Grove (Vale of White Horse) | 570 | 52.9 | -21% |
5 areas within Witney, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Witney South had the highest rate (133.1 per 1,000) and Witney East the lowest (32.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witney South | Neighbourhood | 6,388 | 850 | 133.1 |
| Witney Central | Neighbourhood | 6,365 | 478 | 75.1 |
| Witney West | Neighbourhood | 6,982 | 315 | 45.1 |
| Witney North | Neighbourhood | 3,896 | 167 | 42.9 |
| Witney East | Neighbourhood | 7,985 | 260 | 32.6 |
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 Witney over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 174 |
| On or near Market Square | 85 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 63 |
| On or near Avenue Four | 49 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 42 |
| On or near Avenue Three | 36 |
| On or near Beechgate | 35 |
| On or near Elm Close | 34 |
| On or near Parking Area | 30 |
| On or near Bakers Piece | 29 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Witney 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 | 644 | 35.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 489 | 26.6% |
| Not recorded | 242 | 13.2% |
| Under investigation | 198 | 10.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 78 | 4.2% |
| Local resolution | 56 | 3.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 53 | 2.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 42 | 2.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 15 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 11 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Witney has an estimated population of 27,501. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Witney sits in decile 7.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Witney |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.3% |
| Social rented homes | 16.5% |
| Private rented homes | 18.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.6 |
Is Witney a safe place to live?
Witney recorded 66.8 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 Witney?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 764 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (242).
Is crime in Witney going up or down?
Recorded crime in Witney was down 7% on the year before: 1,837 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,967 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Witney?
Witney 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 Witney. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.