Axminster Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Axminster’s crime rate in September 2024 stood at 5.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.4% below the UK average of 7.7. This figure marks a continuation of the area’s historically low crime profile, a pattern consistent with its status as a semi-rural built-up area within East Devon. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.8% of all reported incidents, though this category saw a sharp 51.5% decline from the previous month. Shoplifting followed with 19.2% of total crimes, a rate that remains 62% above the UK average, suggesting localized pressures in retail environments. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences each contributed 11.5% to the overall count, with the latter experiencing an extraordinary 500% increase—a stark anomaly that may be linked to the return of students to local institutions as the academic year begins. The seasonal context of September, with its transition from summer to autumn, likely plays a role in these shifts: as nights draw in and students return, the dynamics of public spaces change, potentially increasing tensions in areas with high foot traffic. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime—3.3% below the UK average—may reflect the area’s limited commuter traffic and car-centric infrastructure, which reduces opportunities for such offences. Overall, the data illustrates an area where crime remains low but not static, with fluctuations tied to both seasonal rhythms and the unique characteristics of Axminster’s built-up environment.

September 2024 saw one of the most dramatic month-on-month shifts in Axminster’s crime profile, with public order offences increasing by 500% from one to six incidents. This surge, while not uncommon in areas with seasonal population influxes, contrasts sharply with the 51.5% drop in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 33 to 16 cases. The decline in violent crime may be linked to the start of the academic year, as students return to local institutions and activity shifts from late-night venues to daytime environments. Shoplifting also rose sharply by 150%, from four to 10 incidents, a trend that places the category 62% above the UK average. This increase may be connected to the arrival of freshers, who are often targeted in retail areas. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour dropped by 33.3%, reflecting the same seasonal realignment of community activity. For residents, the most immediate concern remains public order offences, which now account for 11.5% of total crimes—double their count from the previous month.

Axminster’s crime rate in September 2024 fell to 5.9 per 1,000 residents, an 11.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.7. This decline positions the area as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK, with a rate 23.4% below the national average. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly two crimes per day over the 30-day period, a figure that aligns with the broader trend of lower crime in rural and semi-rural regions. When viewed through a population lens, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 169 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in Axminster compared to larger urban centres. The drop in violent crime—specifically a 51.5% reduction in violence and sexual offences—may partly reflect seasonal factors, such as the transition from summer to autumn, which could reduce late-night activity in the area. However, the sharp rise in public order offences suggests other dynamics at play, such as the return of students to local institutions or shifts in community behaviour as the academic year begins.