Crime Rate in Oxford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Oxford

The total recorded crimes in Oxford, UK in March 2025 are around 1,563 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Oxford crime rate of 9.65 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 Oxford, encompassing approximately 162,040 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (492) incidents (18.27% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (260) incidents (8.79% increase)
  • Other theft: (136) incidents (9.68% increase)
Oxford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 29
  • Stile Road with total crimes: 28
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 26

How safe is Oxford?

To understand the safety of Oxford, we need to analyze Oxford 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:

    • Oxford has recorded 20,583 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 127.02 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 60 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 18,063 crimes with a crime rate of 111.47, ranking it 91 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Oxfordshire:

    • In 2024, Oxford reported a higher crime volume than the Oxfordshire average, with 20,583 crimes compared to 12,163. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Oxford recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Oxford experienced a greater number of crimes than the Oxfordshire average, with 18,063 crimes compared to 10,859. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Oxford recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Oxford is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

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

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

Oxford Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Carfax & Jericho (245 crimes), and the safest, Temple Cowley (20 crimes), is 225 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Oxford.

Similarly, the area of Oxford Central (332 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Summertown (24 crimes), with a difference of 308 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Oxford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Carfax & Jericho245
Osney & St Thomas137
Cowley105
Littlemore103
Headington100

Safest Wards:

Cutteslowe & Sunnymead27
Headington Hill & Northway26
Walton Manor26
Wolvercote25
Temple Cowley20

Most Dangerous Areas:

Oxford Central332
Cowley South & Iffley147
Littlemore & Rose Hill137
East Central Oxford116
Headington91

Safest Areas:

Lye Valley & Cowley East47
Wolvercote & Cutteslowe33
Marston32
North Central Oxford29
Summertown24

Oxford Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Oxford has recorded 1,563 crimes with crime rate of 9.65 ranking 8152th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Oxfordshire.

In 2024, the total Oxford crimes were 20,583. The crime rate of Oxford in 2024 was 127.02 (year) or 10.59 (month) ranking it 60 danzarous in the UK. Oxford ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Oxfordshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Oxford were around 18,063 crimes with yearly crime rate of 111.47 (year) or 9.29 (month) ranking 91 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Oxfordshire, Oxford ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Oxford

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Oxfordshire)CrimesRank (Oxfordshire)CrimesRank (Oxfordshire)
South Oxfordshire705 58,975 58,249 5
Vale of White Horse654 49,300 37,938 4
West Oxfordshire607 37,121 47,223 3
Cherwell1,110 214,838 212,824 2

Oxford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (492 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (260 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 416 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 239 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (424 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (195 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 437 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 179 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (549 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (205 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (499 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (286 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (444 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (232 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (504 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (320 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 484 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 227 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (976 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (348 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2491 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 249.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 348 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025260
February 2025239
January 2025195
December 2024179
November 2024205
October 2024286
September 2024232
August 2024320
July 2024227
June 2024348

A total of 810 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 81.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 178 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202561
February 202564
January 202549
December 202449
November 202468
October 202489
September 202487
August 202481
July 202484
June 2024178

A total of 185 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 18.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202520
February 202511
January 202518
December 202419
November 202412
October 202419
September 202417
August 202420
July 202417
June 202432

A total of 165 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 16.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202515
February 202515
January 202518
December 202411
November 202415
October 202417
September 202418
August 202413
July 202423
June 202420

A total of 817 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 81.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 126 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202544
February 202559
January 202584
December 2024120
November 202491
October 202487
September 202470
August 202466
July 202470
June 2024126

A total of 1084 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 108.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025110
February 202561
January 202568
December 202496
November 202496
October 202491
September 2024100
August 2024106
July 2024116
June 2024240

A total of 646 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 64.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 126 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202556
February 202563
January 202539
December 202445
November 202458
October 202459
September 202464
August 202460
July 202476
June 2024126

A total of 260 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 26.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202522
February 202521
January 202523
December 202424
November 202433
October 202423
September 202429
August 202421
July 202426
June 202438

A total of 1250 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 125.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 270 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025130
February 202584
January 202560
December 202474
November 2024100
October 2024126
September 2024129
August 2024138
July 2024139
June 2024270

A total of 1055 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 105.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202574
February 202556
January 202550
December 202442
November 202490
October 2024129
September 2024134
August 2024114
July 2024126
June 2024240

A total of 1537 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 153.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 338 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025136
February 2025124
January 202596
December 2024125
November 2024156
October 2024157
September 2024117
August 2024128
July 2024160
June 2024338

A total of 1235 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 123.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 216 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025112
February 202597
January 202593
December 202489
November 2024115
October 2024123
September 2024114
August 2024142
July 2024134
June 2024216

A total of 564 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 56.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 122 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202531
February 202544
January 202537
December 202450
November 202456
October 202463
September 202434
August 202453
July 202474
June 2024122

A total of 5225 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 522.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 976 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025492
February 2025416
January 2025424
December 2024437
November 2024549
October 2024499
September 2024444
August 2024504
July 2024484
June 2024976

High Crime Locations Oxford in March 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total29
Shoplifting29
2. Stile Road (Map)
Total28
Shoplifting28
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total26
Shoplifting26
4. A420 (Map)
Total24
Violence and sexual offences12
Other theft5
Shoplifting3
Public order2
Theft from the person1
Robbery1
5. Police Station (Map)
Total23
Violence and sexual offences9
Bicycle theft4
Other theft3
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order2
Possession of weapons1
Drugs1
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting13
Theft from the person5
Anti-social behaviour2
Possession of weapons1

  • 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.