East Devon Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

East Devon’s overall crime rate in March 2024 stood at 4.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 48.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure reflects a largely rural and semi-rural district with a mix of coastal communities, historic market towns, and commuter suburbs. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 44.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.3%) and criminal damage and arson (10.7%). These patterns align with the area’s character: high streets in Exeter and Seaton Devon see regular anti-social behaviour, while rural roads and coastal paths are prone to criminal damage. March, with its transition to spring and extended evenings, may have influenced activity levels to seasonal factors. The dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with national trends, where property crime typically outweighs violence. This may reflect local demographics, including a significant student population in Exeter, which could drive interpersonal conflicts. However, the absence of major spikes in theft or burglary suggests a generally stable security environment, with most incidents concentrated in urban centres.

March 2024 saw a dramatic 110% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 10 to 21 incidents. This surge was accompanied by a 100% rise in possession of weapons (from 6 to 12 cases) and a doubling of theft from the person (from 2 to 4). These sharp increases contrast with declines in other theft (-26.2%), vehicle crime (-13.3%), and shoplifting (-13.3%). The violent crime category, which accounts for 44.2% of all reported crimes, remains 33% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000 vs 3.9 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour, at 0.6 per 1,000, is 48% below the UK average, suggesting lower levels of disruptive activity in public spaces compared to other regions. Vehicle crime in East Devon is 79% below the UK average (0.1 vs 0.5 per 1,000), a figure that may reflect the area’s lower population density and reduced urban congestion. For residents, the 100% increase in drug-related offences highlights a specific concern in March, though no causal factors are confirmed by the data.

East Devon’s crime rate rose 13.2% from 3.6 per 1,000 in February to 4.0 per 1,000 in March 2024. This translates to an average of 21 crimes per day across the district, which has a population of 158,239. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 249 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local households. Compared to February, the increase was most pronounced in drug-related crimes, but the overall rate remains well below the UK average. The daily crime count of 21 in East Devon is significantly lower than the UK’s estimated 54 crimes per day (based on 7.7 per 1,000). This disparity reflects the area’s rural character and lower population density. The 1-in-249 resident figure is more favourable than the UK’s average monthly exposure, which is estimated at 1-in-130. These statistics suggest that East Devon continues to maintain a relatively low-crime profile, even as specific categories like drug offences show upward trends.