Downderry Crime Rate

Downderry presents a highly favourable safety profile, with an overall crime rate of 42.0 per 1,000 people. This figure is substantially lower than the UK average of 93.1, reflecting a secure environment for its 2,189 residents. The area holds an impressive safety score of 90/100, placing it well above the national average of 78/100. While the statistics are positive, there has been a recent increasing trend in reported incidents, with a 55.9% change year-over-year. This context is important for residents to understand, as it highlights a shift in local activity despite the area remaining statistically very safe compared to the rest of the country.

Crime Breakdown in Downderry

The crime landscape in Downderry is primarily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.4% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 16.3% and a tie between public order and criminal damage and arson, both at 13.0%. These figures suggest that interpersonal conflicts and community-level disturbances are the most frequent issues encountered by local law enforcement.

Property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, occurs at a rate of 11.9 per 1,000 residents. While this is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, it remains a pertinent concern for homeowners. Specifically, burglary represents 3.3% of total crime, while vehicle crime accounts for 2.2%. For residents, this indicates that while the area is statistically very safe, maintaining standard security protocols for homes and vehicles is essential to deter opportunistic theft and property damage.

Crime Trends in Downderry

Analysis of the latest 12-month data reveals that crime in Downderry is currently on an upward trajectory, with a significant 55.9% year-over-year increase. Monthly trend data shows that for much of the year, the crime rate remained exceptionally low, often fluctuating between 0.9 and 4.6 per 1,000 residents. However, a major spike occurred in April 2025, where the rate jumped to 11.9 per 1,000.

Following this peak, the rates returned to more typical levels, ranging between 1.4 and 4.6 for the remainder of the year. This suggests that the overall annual increase may be heavily influenced by specific clusters of incidents rather than a sustained, high-volume surge. For residents, this trend highlights the importance of remaining vigilant, as even a safe area like Downderry can experience temporary periods of increased criminal activity. Monitoring these monthly shifts can help the community better understand and respond to local security challenges.

How To Keep Safe in Downderry

The most prevalent crime type in Downderry is violence and sexual offences. While the overall risk remains low compared to national figures, you can enhance your personal safety by following these practical steps:

1. Maintain awareness of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening hours, and try to stick to well-lit, familiar routes.
2. Consider carrying a personal safety alarm, which can provide a loud deterrent and attract attention if you ever feel uncomfortable or threatened.
3. If you are out late, share your expected arrival time with a friend or family member so someone is aware of your whereabouts.
4. Report any suspicious behaviour or harassment to the local police immediately; early reporting helps authorities identify patterns and prevent further incidents.
5. Engage with local community watch groups to stay informed about any specific safety concerns or recent activity in the Downderry area.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Downderry

Crime in Downderry exhibits distinct temporal patterns, with different offences peaking at various times of the day. Morning hours are notably associated with theft, which accounts for 49% of reports during this period. As the day progresses into the afternoon, theft remains the dominant concern, rising to 54% of incidents. This suggests that daytime activity in the area is primarily susceptible to opportunistic property-related crimes.

As evening falls, the nature of reported crime shifts significantly. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' crime types—a broad category often including public order or administrative offences—spike to 64% of the total. During the night (12am to 6am), 'other' crimes remain high at 54%, but there is also a visible increase in the relative proportion of burglaries (13%) and vehicle crimes (20%). This indicates that while the overall volume may be lower at night, the risk to unattended property and vehicles becomes more pronounced.

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Downderry's crime rate of 42.0 per 1,000 people sits at the higher end of the local spectrum. St Germans remains an outlier with a recorded crime rate of 0.0, while Looe and Landrake offer similar safety profiles to Downderry with rates of 37.0 and 35.3 respectively. Menheniot is the only nearby area with a higher rate at 46.1. For those considering the region, Downderry offers a very high standard of safety, consistent with the generally low-crime character of this part of Cornwall, despite the slight variations between these rural and semi-rural settlements.

Protecting Your Property in Downderry

With a property crime rate of 11.9 per 1,000 residents, Downderry homeowners enjoy a level of security far greater than much of the UK. However, the recent 55.9% increase in overall crime suggests a need for more vigilant home protection. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are often reactive, providing footage of an incident only after it has occurred. In a community like Downderry, where property crime is relatively low but increasing, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy.

The scOS AI-powered home security operating system shifts the focus from recording to prevention. By utilising multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they escalate into a break-in. Features like autonomous responses—activating lights or speakers—can deter an intruder within the first 60 seconds of their approach. For Downderry residents, implementing a system that prioritises proactive detection ensures that your home remains a difficult target, maintaining the peace of mind that comes with living in a high-safety-score area.