Crime Rate in Cowley: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cowley

The total recorded crimes in Cowley, Oxford, UK in July 2025 are around 112 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cowley crime rate of 4.39 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 Cowley, encompassing approximately 25,509 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (25) incidents (8.70% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (18) incidents (125.00% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (15) incidents (-6.25% decrease)
Cowley Crime Hotspots

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

  • Further/Higher Educational Building with total crimes: 7
  • Sheldon Way with total crimes: 7
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 6

How safe is Cowley?

To understand the safety of Cowley, we need to analyze Cowley crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Oxford:

    • In 2024, Cowley reported a higher crime volume than the Oxford average, with 1,370 crimes compared to 895. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Cowley witnessed more crimes than 20 out of 22 other areas in the Oxford.

    • In 2023, Cowley experienced a greater number of crimes than the Oxford average, with 1,246 crimes compared to 785. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Cowley witnessed more crimes than 20 out of 22 other areas in the Oxford.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Oxford, Cowley has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

Cowley Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Cowley has recorded 112 crimes with crime rate of 4.39 ranking 4th out of 22 in the Oxford, UK

In 2024, the total Cowley crimes were 1,370. The crime rate of Cowley in 2024 was 53.71 (year) or 4.48 (month) ranking it 3 dangerous area in the Oxford.

In 2023, the total crimes in Cowley were around 1,246 crimes with yearly crime rate of 48.85 (year) or 4.07 (month) ranking 3 most dangerous area in the Oxford.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Cowley)CrimesRank (Cowley)CrimesRank (Cowley)
Carfax & Jericho251 13,530 12,725 1
Osney & St Thomas155 21,865 21,630 2
Headington115 31,098 61,100 5
St Clement's78 81,107 51,235 4
Littlemore99 51,275 41,093 6
Lye Valley95 6634 13645 13
Blackbird Leys79 7910 9931 7
Rose Hill & Iffley57 141,023 7648 12
Northfield Brook61 12896 10847 8
Donnington78 9914 8719 11
St Mary's60 13823 11777 9
Churchill67 11771 12733 10
Hinksey Park68 10586 14502 15
Quarry & Risinghurst56 15576 15552 14
Barton & Sandhills37 16520 16474 16
Marston34 17408 19423 17
Cutteslowe & Sunnymead32 18443 17379 18
Wolvercote28 21439 18358 19
Temple Cowley30 19366 20262 22
Headington Hill & Northway26 22332 23317 20
Walton Manor30 20339 22198 23
Summertown16 23358 21269 21

Cowley Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 25 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 18 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (23 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (16 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (24 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (15 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (28 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (10 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (34 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (25 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 36 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 24 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (30 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (15 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 28 incidents, and Drugs was another prevalent crime category with 26 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (25 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (17 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (31 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (29 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (28 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (24 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (25 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (15 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 80 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.67 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20258
May 20257
April 20256
March 20253
February 20258
January 20257
December 20244
November 20246
October 20247
September 20248
August 20249

A total of 120 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 20258
May 202515
April 202510
March 20258
February 20258
January 20257
December 20246
November 202411
October 202411
September 20249
August 20249

A total of 70 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.83 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202511
June 20255
May 20256
April 20254
March 20256
February 20254
January 20258
December 20245
November 20244
October 20244
September 20244
August 20249

A total of 108 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20259
May 20257
April 20254
March 20255
February 202511
January 20257
December 202426
November 20248
October 202414
September 20246
August 20244

A total of 80 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.67 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20251
May 20256
April 20256
March 20258
February 202512
January 20255
December 20243
November 20244
October 202415
September 20246
August 20246

A total of 72 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20257
May 20253
April 20253
March 20251
February 20254
January 20253
December 20241
November 202413
October 20248
September 202412
August 202414

A total of 328 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 27.33 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202525
June 202523
May 202524
April 202528
March 202525
February 202536
January 202530
December 202428
November 202425
October 202431
September 202428
August 202425

A total of 23 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.29 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
April 20252
March 20252
December 20242
November 20244
October 20244
August 20244

A total of 15 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.88 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20252
March 20251
February 20251
January 20251
November 20244
October 20242
August 20242

A total of 235 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 19.58 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202516
May 202515
April 202510
March 202534
February 202524
January 202515
December 202421
November 202417
October 202429
September 202424
August 202415

A total of 78 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.50 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20256
May 20258
April 20252
March 20259
February 202512
January 20254
December 20243
November 20247
October 20247
September 20245
August 20247

A total of 14 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
April 20252
February 20254
January 20251
October 20242
September 20242
August 20241

A total of 22 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.20 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20254
May 20251
April 20251
March 20252
February 20253
December 20241
November 20244
October 20241
September 20244

A total of 12 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20251
May 20251
March 20251
February 20253
January 20251
December 20243
November 20241
September 20241

High Crime Locations Cowley in July 2025

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

1. Further/Higher Educational Building (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
Public order1
2. Sheldon Way (Map)
Total7
Burglary2
Drugs2
Anti-social behaviour1
Bicycle theft1
Vehicle crime1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total6
Shoplifting6
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total6
Robbery2
Other theft1
Shoplifting1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences4
Drugs1
6. John Allen Way (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting3
Burglary1
Public order1
7. Parking Area (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Shopping Area (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour2
Shoplifting2
9. Banjo Road (Map)
Total4
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour1
Bicycle theft1
10. Supermarket (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.