Crime Rate in Cherwell: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cherwell

The total recorded crimes in Cherwell, UK in May 2025 are around 1,062 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cherwell crime rate of 6.60 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Cherwell, encompassing approximately 161,015 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (441) incidents (7.56% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (141) incidents (-10.19% decrease)
  • Public order: (92) incidents (8.24% increase)
Cherwell Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 19
  • Police Station with total crimes: 16
  • Market Square with total crimes: 13

Cherwell Police Info:

Thames Valley Police

How safe is Cherwell?

To understand the safety of Cherwell, we need to analyze Cherwell crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Cherwell has recorded 14,838 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 92.15 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 166 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 12,824 crimes with a crime rate of 79.64, ranking it 203 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Oxfordshire:

    • In 2024, Cherwell reported a higher crime volume than the Oxfordshire average, with 14,838 crimes compared to 12,163. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Cherwell recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Cherwell experienced a greater number of crimes than the Oxfordshire average, with 12,824 crimes compared to 10,859. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Cherwell recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Cherwell is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Oxfordshire, Cherwell has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Cherwell Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Banbury Cross and Neithrop (188 crimes), and the safest, Deddington (31 crimes), is 157 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Cherwell.

Similarly, the area of Banbury Grimsbury (130 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Bicester North (14 crimes), with a difference of 116 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Cherwell.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Banbury Cross and Neithrop188
Bicester South and Ambrosden115
Banbury Ruscote95
Bicester East75
Fringford and Heyfords72

Safest Wards:

Bicester North and Caversfield45
Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote43
Cropredy, Sibfords and Wroxton43
Banbury Hardwick41
Deddington31

Most Dangerous Areas:

Banbury Grimsbury130
Bicester South124
Islip, Arncott & Chesterton95
Banbury Ruscote92
Caversfield, Ambrosden & Fringford76

Safest Areas:

Kidlington North32
Bicester East25
Sibford, Hook Norton & Milcombe16
Kidlington South15
Bicester North14

Cherwell Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Cherwell has recorded 1,062 crimes with crime rate of 6.60 ranking 226th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Oxfordshire.

In 2024, the total Cherwell crimes were 14,838. The crime rate of Cherwell in 2024 was 92.15 (year) or 7.68 (month) ranking it 166 danzarous in the UK. Cherwell ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Oxfordshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Cherwell were around 12,824 crimes with yearly crime rate of 79.64 (year) or 6.64 (month) ranking 203 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Oxfordshire, Cherwell ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 2 as per crime rate of Cherwell

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Oxfordshire)CrimesRank (Oxfordshire)CrimesRank (Oxfordshire)
South Oxfordshire649 58,975 58,249 5
Vale of White Horse768 49,300 37,938 4
West Oxfordshire552 37,121 47,223 3
Oxford1,519 120,583 118,063 1

Cherwell Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (441 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (141 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (410 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (157 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (453 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (128 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 342 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 113 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (351 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (152 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 408 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 186 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (418 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (168 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (397 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (142 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (425 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Other theft (112 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (375 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (130 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 471 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 139 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1567 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 142.45 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 186 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025141
April 2025157
March 2025128
February 2025113
January 2025152
December 2024186
November 2024168
October 2024142
September 2024111
August 2024130
July 2024139

A total of 93 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.45 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202510
March 20252
February 20257
January 20253
December 20246
November 202412
October 202411
September 20248
August 20249
July 202412

A total of 4491 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 408.27 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 471 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025441
April 2025410
March 2025453
February 2025342
January 2025351
December 2024408
November 2024418
October 2024397
September 2024425
August 2024375
July 2024471

A total of 462 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 42.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 61 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202546
March 202544
February 202535
January 202549
December 202461
November 202454
October 202455
September 202421
August 202422
July 202448

A total of 785 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 71.36 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 91 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202581
April 202582
March 202575
February 202560
January 202571
December 202478
November 202452
October 202455
September 202453
August 202491
July 202487

A total of 975 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 88.64 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202592
April 202585
March 202590
February 202570
January 202573
December 202477
November 202470
October 2024110
September 2024108
August 202490
July 2024110

A total of 1034 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 94.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 127 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202585
April 202569
March 202593
February 202570
January 202578
December 2024105
November 202489
October 2024102
September 2024112
August 2024104
July 2024127

A total of 242 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 22.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202514
March 202526
February 202521
January 202530
December 202419
November 202418
October 202422
September 202427
August 202420
July 202432

A total of 93 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.45 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20257
March 20258
February 20255
January 20255
December 20249
November 202412
October 202411
September 202412
August 20246
July 20249

A total of 316 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 28.73 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 46 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202514
March 202533
February 202525
January 202526
December 202427
November 202432
October 202446
September 202438
August 202427
July 202431

A total of 85 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 7.73 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 20255
March 20257
February 20254
January 20258
December 20244
November 20248
October 202412
September 20247
August 202410
July 202410

A total of 98 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.91 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20254
March 20256
February 20259
January 202515
December 202412
November 202417
October 202410
September 202410
August 20242
July 20246

A total of 645 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 58.64 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 92 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202541
April 202558
March 202555
February 202536
January 202592
December 202481
November 202477
October 202460
September 202470
August 202438
July 202437

A total of 947 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 86.09 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 134 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202585
April 202592
March 202590
February 202571
January 202566
December 202447
November 202472
October 2024114
September 202473
August 2024103
July 2024134

High Crime Locations Cherwell in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Cherwell postcode area is presented below.

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting15
Violence and sexual offences3
Possession of weapons1
2. Police Station (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences11
Criminal damage and arson3
Drugs2
3. Market Square (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences6
Shoplifting5
Vehicle crime1
Other crime1
4. Palmer Avenue (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences5
Other crime3
Criminal damage and arson2
Vehicle crime1
5. Speedwell Road (Map)
Total11
Other theft6
Shoplifting3
Public order2
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total11
Shoplifting8
Public order2
Bicycle theft1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.