East Devon Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated East Devon’s crime profile in April 2023, accounting for 38% of all reported crimes. At 3.2 per 1,000 residents, the area’s overall crime rate remains 57.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, a consistent pattern that underscores East Devon’s relative safety. The dominance of violent crime may be linked to the area’s character as a mix of coastal communities and rural settlements, where social interactions in public spaces — such as town centres and popular outdoor areas — could contribute to higher rates of such offences. Anti-social behaviour (20.1%) and criminal damage and arson (10.4%) followed as the next most common categories, reflecting the challenges of managing public spaces in a region with both urban and rural elements. Seasonal factors in April — including the Easter holiday and the transition to spring — may have influenced patterns, with increased foot traffic in retail areas driving shoplifting incidents. However, the area’s crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, particularly in categories like burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and drugs-related offences (100% below the UK rate). This suggests that local initiatives, community cohesion, or geographic factors may play a role in mitigating certain types of crime. While the 7.1% rise in the overall crime rate compared to March 2023 is worth noting, it does not appear to signal a significant shift in the broader trend of low crime levels. The data also illustrates that East Devon’s crime picture is shaped by a combination of demographic factors, seasonal rhythms, and local environmental characteristics, all of which contribute to its unique profile compared to other parts of the UK.

April 2023 saw a striking 241.7% increase in shoplifting, rising from 12 to 41 incidents. This surge, though not reflected in the overall crime rate, suggests heightened activity in retail areas during the Easter period. Conversely, burglary fell by 41.2% (from 17 to 10 cases), potentially linked to seasonal changes in property usage or increased community vigilance. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 — 54% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This contrast with the national trend highlights East Devon’s unique profile, where anti-social behaviour (20.1% of total crimes) and criminal damage (10.4%) also feature prominently. Residents may find the 57.3% gap from the UK average particularly reassuring, illustrating the area’s consistent performance in maintaining low crime levels despite seasonal fluctuations.

East Devon's crime rate in April 2023 rose by 7.1% compared to March 2023, moving from 2.9 to 3.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, reflects a broader trend in seasonal fluctuations, with Easter and spring activities potentially influencing public behavior. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 17 crimes reported each day, a figure that contextualizes the volume of incidents within the local rhythm of life. Over the course of April, one crime occurred for roughly every 318 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This monthly exposure metric provides residents with a tangible sense of risk, emphasizing that East Devon remains significantly safer than the national average. The population context further underscores that even with the 7.1% rise, the absolute number of crimes remains low in relation to the area’s 158,239 residents, reinforcing the region’s overall safety profile.