East Devon Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In East Devon, the per-capita crime rate for September 2023 was 3.1 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 61.3% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of 16 reported crimes across the district’s population of 158,239. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (30.7% of total), anti-social behaviour (29.2%), and criminal damage and arson (10.0%). These figures align with seasonal patterns in September, as the area experiences the transition from summer to autumn, with schools and universities welcoming new students. The relatively low crime rate may partly reflect the district’s rural-urban mix, where suburban communities and coastal towns coexist, potentially reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remain 64% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. Anti-social behaviour, often linked to youth activity and social gatherings, is also significantly lower than the UK norm, which could indicate strong community oversight or environmental design that deters such incidents. The low rate of property crimes, particularly burglary and vehicle crime, which are 69% and 79% below UK averages respectively, may be consistent with East Devon’s character as a relatively stable area with lower population density, reducing the likelihood of opportunistic theft. However, the seasonal context of September—back-to-school periods and university freshers’ week—could introduce volatility, though this month’s data does not show significant spikes in related crime types. Overall, the per-capita perspective highlights that residents in East Devon face a markedly lower risk of encountering crime than the national average, though localized factors such as community policing efforts or demographic trends likely play a role in sustaining this trend.

September 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns across East Devon, with some categories rising and others falling sharply. Shoplifting, which had previously been a concern, decreased by 51.9% compared to August, dropping from 27 to 13 incidents. This decline may be partly explained by the start of the academic term, which could reduce foot traffic in retail areas or increase vigilance among businesses. Conversely, possession of weapons increased by 75.0%, from 4 to 7 cases, though this remains a rare occurrence given the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. Other crime also rose by 53.8%, from 13 to 20, reflecting the complexity of categorizing emerging issues. Public order offences increased by 31.3%, from 16 to 21, which could be linked to social gatherings during the early autumn period. Despite these changes, East Devon continues to perform significantly below UK averages in several categories: anti-social behaviour is 33% below the UK rate, criminal damage and arson are 50% below, and vehicle crime is 79% below. The most striking disparity remains in theft from the person, which is 100% below the UK average, suggesting that local deterrents—such as lighting, community patrols, or public awareness campaigns—may be effective in reducing such crimes. For residents, the most immediate insight is the 52% drop in shoplifting, which could ease concerns for local retailers and shoppers during the busy back-to-school period.

East Devon’s crime rate in September 2023 (3.1 per 1,000) was 6.9% lower than the previous month’s rate of 3.3, reflecting a slight but consistent decline. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately 16 crimes reported each day across the district—a figure that, while non-zero, is significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to East Devon’s population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 324 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this area. When compared to the UK average, East Devon’s performance in specific crime categories is striking: for instance, public order offences are 84% below the national average, and burglary is 69% below. These disparities suggest that East Devon’s unique characteristics—possibly including a mix of rural and suburban environments, strong community cohesion, or targeted policing initiatives—contribute to its lower crime rates. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that, even with the 7.2% increase in other crime, the absolute number remains small, with 20 incidents representing just 0.1 per 1,000 residents. For someone living in East Devon, these figures translate to a daily risk that is markedly lower than the national average, though localized factors such as seasonal events or community-specific challenges may still influence crime trends in the coming months.