Honiton Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Honiton's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 4.6 per 1,000 residents, 32.4% below the UK average of 6.8. This marked a continued trend of lower-than-average crime levels, reflecting the area's character as a built-up area within East Devon with a mix of residential and commercial zones. Violent crimes dominated the monthly tally, accounting for 53.7% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (9.3%) and public order offences (9.3%). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate compared to busier months. While violent crime remained the most prevalent category, the proportion of property crimes was significantly lower than the UK average, consistent with Honiton's relatively low retail density and community-focused environment. The data suggests that local factors such as community engagement and limited high-traffic commercial areas may play a role in maintaining this lower crime profile, though seasonal influences such as reduced outdoor activity and fewer tourists could also contribute to the subdued figures observed in January.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift was in criminal damage and arson, which surged by 300% from one incident in December to four in January. This sharp increase, though still low in absolute terms, may reflect colder weather conditions or post-holiday disruptions in the area. Concurrently, drug-related offences doubled from one to two incidents, marking a 100% rise. Shoplifting also saw a significant jump of 66.7%, rising from three to five incidents, possibly linked to the post-Christmas retail lull and reduced staffing in local stores. Conversely, several categories experienced notable declines: other theft, anti-social behaviour, and burglary each fell by 50%, suggesting potential improvements in local security measures or reduced opportunities for such crimes during January. Violent crimes, which remained the most common category at 29 incidents, were slightly below the UK average for this category (2.5 per 1,000 vs UK average 2.5 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour—typically a concern in urban areas—was 68% below the UK average, highlighting Honiton's relatively low levels of disruptive public conduct compared to other parts of the country.

Honiton's crime rate in January 2026 (4.6 per 1,000) represented an 11.5% decrease from December's 5.2 per 1,000, marking a sustained downward trend. This reduction, though modest, aligns with the seasonal pattern of lower crime activity in January, a month typically characterised by reduced foot traffic and fewer outdoor events. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of two crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that appears manageable for a community of 11,711 residents. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 217 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. The contrast between Honiton's crime profile and the UK average is particularly striking in categories such as anti-social behaviour (68% below UK average) and criminal damage (38% below UK average), suggesting that local factors such as community cohesion and limited high-density housing may contribute to these outcomes. However, the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson raises questions about whether specific incidents or environmental conditions in January may have temporarily disrupted this pattern.