East Devon Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

East Devon recorded 399 crimes in October 2023, equating to a crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 68.8% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, placing the area among the safest in the country. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 29.6% of all recorded crimes (118 incidents). This was followed by anti-social behaviour (28.3%, 113 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (13.0%, 52 incidents). The low crime rate may be influenced by East Devon's semi-rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density can reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, with October's darker evenings and the approach of Halloween potentially contributing to fluctuations in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. However, the area's overall safety profile remains consistent with its historical data, suggesting that local conditions—such as strong policing presence in key areas and community-led initiatives—may be effective in maintaining low crime levels. The relatively high proportion of violent crimes compared to property crimes (violence: 29.6%, property: 32.6%) may reflect the presence of local amenities and public spaces that attract a mix of residents and visitors, though this remains below the UK average for both categories. The month's crime profile also shows no significant spikes in theft from the person or burglary, which are typically more common in urban centres with higher foot traffic.

October 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Shoplifting increased by 23.1% (from 13 to 16 incidents), a rise that may be linked to Halloween-related activity in local retail areas. Conversely, possession of weapons fell sharply by 71.4% (from 7 to 2 incidents), potentially reflecting a reduction in targeted enforcement or changes in community reporting patterns. The violent crime category, which accounted for 29.6% of all recorded crimes, remained 70% below the UK average at 0.8 per 1,000 residents. This stark contrast with national figures suggests that East Devon's demographic and geographic profile—likely characterised by lower population density and strong community networks—may act as a mitigating factor. Meanwhile, vehicle crime decreased by 31.3% (from 16 to 11 incidents), influenced by reduced commuter traffic as the month progressed.

East Devon's crime rate in October 2023 dropped to 2.5 per 1,000 residents, an 18.4% decrease from the previous month's 3.1 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the area's historically low crime profile, which has consistently remained well below the UK average. On a daily basis, East Devon recorded approximately 13 crimes per day in October, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 397 residents over the course of the month. When scaled to the local population of 158,239, this monthly exposure highlights a level of safety that contrasts with national trends. The area's lower crime rates may partly reflect its rural and semi-rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density can contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the drop from the previous month's rate suggests a potential seasonal influence, with the transition into darker evenings and the end of the summer tourist season possibly affecting local activity patterns.