East Devon Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

East Devon's crime rate in December 2025 stood at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 45.7% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This sustained performance reflects the district's ongoing efforts to maintain public safety, though the month-on-month increase from 3.6 to 3.8 per 1,000 suggests a subtle upward trend. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 52.6% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 — 22% below the UK average for this category. Criminal damage and arson followed, contributing 8.8% of total crimes, while other theft made up 8.6%. These figures align with East Devon's character as a largely rural and suburban area, where violent crime tends to concentrate in specific pockets such as town centres and commuter hubs. Seasonal factors, including the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings, likely contributed to the elevated levels of violence and property crime, though the absence of major public events or population shifts may have tempered the impact. The area's low rates for anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime further suggest a stable community environment, despite the recent uptick in drug-related offences. This combination of local geography and seasonal rhythms continues to shape East Devon's crime profile, with the district's overall safety record remaining a notable feature compared to the UK average.

December 2025 saw notable fluctuations in crime types across East Devon. Drug-related crimes increased by 69.2%, rising from 13 to 22 incidents, a sharp contrast to the 63% UK average for this category. This surge, while concerning, remains below the UK rate. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 41.3%, falling from 75 to 44 incidents, reflecting a potential reduction in public disorder during the festive season. The increase in burglary (46.2%) and robbery (50.0%) highlights vulnerabilities in residential and commercial areas, possibly linked to holiday-related absences or increased foot traffic. Bicycle theft decreased by 50.0%, from 2 to 1 incident, a trend that may be attributed to seasonal changes in cycling activity. These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of crime patterns, with some categories aligning closely with UK averages while others deviate significantly.

East Devon's crime rate rose by 6.4% from 3.6 to 3.8 per 1,000 residents in December 2025, marking a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area's overall position as 45.7% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 20 crimes per day, a figure that remains relatively low compared to national benchmarks. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 262 residents, a statistic that underscores the area's generally low crime profile despite the month-on-month increase. When viewed in the context of East Devon's population of 158,239, this translates to a manageable level of exposure for residents. The slight rise in crime rate may reflect seasonal factors such as the holiday period, but the overall pattern remains consistent with East Devon's historical trend of maintaining lower crime rates than the UK average.