East Devon Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

East Devon’s December 2023 crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents places the area 47.2% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, underscoring its continued status as a relatively safe local authority district. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 45.8% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.2% and criminal damage and arson at 9.7%. These figures align with seasonal patterns observed in similar areas, where the combination of dark evenings, festive gatherings, and holiday-related social pressures may contribute to elevated levels of violent and anti-social behaviour. The rate for violence and sexual offences—1.7 per 1,000—was 35% below the UK average, suggesting that East Devon’s community structures or policing strategies may effectively mitigate such crimes despite the month’s challenges. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, saw a significant portion of its incidents tied to public spaces, reflecting the area’s mix of rural and coastal environments, where transient populations or seasonal events might influence such activity. Meanwhile, property crimes remained well below national levels, with vehicle crime at 0.1 per 1,000—78% below the UK average—highlighting the effectiveness of local measures in deterring theft from vehicles, due to lower urban density and fewer commercial hubs. This month’s data, while showing a 50.6% increase in overall crime rate compared to November, still positions East Devon as an area where crime remains far below the national norm, even as seasonal factors temporarily influence specific categories.

December 2023 saw a stark spike in violence and sexual offences, which surged by 101.5% compared to November, accounting for 45.8% of all reported crimes. This category’s rate of 1.7 per 1,000 was 35% below the UK average, but the absolute increase—from 136 to 274 cases—suggests heightened tensions during the festive period. Concurrently, drug-related crimes rose by 111.1%, with possession of weapons also jumping 250%, indicating potential links to holiday-related social dynamics or unseasonal illicit activity. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 33.3%, a drop that may reflect increased vigilance during the Christmas shopping season or reduced opportunities for such crimes in busier retail environments. Property crimes remained low compared to the UK average, with vehicle crime at 0.1 per 1,000—78% below the national rate—highlighting East Devon’s continued strength in preventing theft from vehicles, possibly due to its lower population density and fewer urban centres.

East Devon’s crime rate in December 2023 rose by 50.6% compared to the previous month, moving from 2.5 to 3.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase contrasts with the area’s continued position far below the UK average, which remains at 7.2 per 1,000. Locally, the monthly tally of 598 crimes translates to roughly 19 crimes reported each day, a figure that underscores the persistent but relatively low level of criminal activity in the district. When scaled to the population of 158,239, the monthly exposure means one reported crime occurred for roughly every 265 residents—a rate that, while notable, remains significantly lower than national benchmarks. This disparity highlights the unique characteristics of East Devon, where a mix of rural and coastal environments may contribute to lower crime rates compared to densely populated urban areas. The rise in December, however, suggests seasonal factors—such as holiday-related tensions or increased social activity—could temporarily elevate crime levels despite the area’s overall safety profile.