Exmouth Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Exmouth's December 2023 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents placed it 26.4% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer profile compared to national trends. The area's crime profile in December was dominated by violence and sexual offences (43.1% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (18.6%) and shoplifting (9.0%). This pattern aligns with the season's dynamics: the Christmas shopping peak, party season, and extended dark evenings likely contributed to higher incidents of violent crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or late-night activity. While shoplifting remained a concern, its rate (0.5 per 1,000) was slightly above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), suggesting local retail environments may face challenges similar to other UK centres. Property crimes were relatively low, with vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) both significantly below UK averages. This could be attributed to Exmouth's coastal location, where transient populations and tourist activity may reduce opportunities for certain property crimes. However, the area's violent crime rate (2.3 per 1,000) was 12% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), indicating effective community policing or social cohesion factors that mitigate conflict during high-traffic periods.

December 2023 saw stark increases in specific crime categories, with drug-related offences surging by 350% (from 2 to 9 incidents) and possession of weapons rising by 200% (from 1 to 3). These jumps, though still low in absolute terms, suggest emerging local challenges that may require targeted interventions. The balance of crime types shifted slightly compared to previous months, with violent crimes (43.1%) outnumbering property crimes (25.5%), a trend consistent with seasonal patterns where social gatherings and holiday-related stressors may heighten interpersonal tensions. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.0 per 1,000, was 8% above the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), reflecting the impact of festive crowds and alcohol consumption in public spaces. Conversely, criminal damage and arson (0.3 per 1,000) was 46% below the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), a contrast that may be explained by Exmouth's relatively low levels of industrial activity and community-focused policing efforts. Residents might find the 35% increase in anti-social behaviour particularly relevant, as it highlights the need for local initiatives to manage public spaces during peak holiday periods.

Exmouth's December 2023 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 marked a 43.5% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.7 per 1,000, indicating a notable upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 6 crimes per day over the month, a figure that, while modest, underscores the importance of sustained community vigilance. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 190 residents provides a tangible measure of risk for Exmouth's 35,632 residents. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which suggests that local factors—such as Exmouth's coastal geography, community engagement, and policing strategies—may be contributing to its safer profile. However, the 43.5% month-on-month increase raises questions about temporary influences, such as holiday-related disruptions or changes in reporting patterns. While the overall rate remains advantageous compared to national benchmarks, the rise in drug-related crimes and weapon possession highlights areas requiring closer attention, particularly as these issues may intersect with the area's seasonal dynamics and transient populations.