Axminster Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Axminster's crime profile in August 2025 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by the area's character as a small built-up area within East Devon. With a total of 52 crimes reported (5.9 per 1,000 residents), the area remains 27.2% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.2% of all incidents (24 cases), a category that sits 6% below the UK average (2.9 vs 2.7 per 1,000). This may reflect the area's relatively stable population and limited nightlife compared to larger urban centres. Property crimes, while lower in proportion (36.5% of total), showed significant variation in subcategories: criminal damage and arson (21.2% of total) reached 11 incidents — 120% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000). This anomaly may be partially explained by the summer peak in tourism, which could increase vandalism risks in empty homes or public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, at 13.5% of total crimes (7 incidents), remained 45% below the UK average, suggesting effective local management of disruptive conduct. The seasonal context of August as a peak holiday month likely influences these patterns, with transient populations contributing to spikes in certain categories while stable resident communities maintain lower rates in others. Shoplifting fell by 40% month-on-month, a trend consistent with the summer slowdown in retail activity in a small town with limited commercial centres.

The most striking month-on-month change was the 400% increase in other theft, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This surge, while small in absolute terms, highlights a vulnerability in unsecured property or personal items. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson rose by 37.5%, with 11 incidents reported — 120% above the UK average. This category's sharp increase may be linked to the summer tourist season, though no direct causal link can be confirmed. Violent crimes also rose by 14.3%, with 24 incidents recorded, maintaining their dominance as the most common crime type (46.2% of total). This contrasts with the 66.7% decline in public order offences, which fell from 3 to 1. The area's anti-social behaviour rate remains 45% below the UK average (0.8 vs 1.5 per 1,000), suggesting effective local policing or community engagement in managing disruptive behaviour. For residents, the 27.2% gap between Axminster's rate and the UK average (5.9 vs 8.1 per 1,000) provides context for the area's relatively safe environment despite the spikes in specific categories.

August 2025 saw Axminster's crime rate fall to 5.9 per 1,000 residents, a 16.1% decrease from July's 7.1 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the summer slowdown in transient populations typically associated with the area's tourism season. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day over the 31-day period — a figure that would translate to roughly one crime every 169 residents over the course of the month. Considering Axminster's population of 8,786, this suggests a relatively low level of exposure compared to larger urban centres. The most notable shift in the crime profile came in the category of criminal damage and arson, which saw a 37.5% increase month-on-month. While this remains significantly above the UK average (120% higher), it contrasts with the 66.7% drop in public order offences, which may reflect seasonal shifts in community activity patterns. For residents, the 27.2% gap between Axminster's rate and the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000 underscores the area's consistently lower crime burden relative to the national picture.