Ottery St Mary Crime Rate

Statistics for Ottery St Mary

Ottery St Mary is a highly secure town with an overall crime rate of 44.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7, contributing to an excellent safety score of 89/100. Compared to the UK's average safety score of 79/100, Ottery St Mary stands out as a safe environment for its 6,077 residents. The recent trend direction is stable, with a minor year-over-year increase of 1.9%. This consistency suggests that the local safety environment is well-maintained, providing a reliable context for residents and prospective homeowners. The following data provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime types, seasonal trends, and timing patterns to help you understand the local safety context in this historic East Devon town.

Crime in Ottery St Mary

Ottery St Mary's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 48.1% of all recorded incidents (21.4 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common report at 16.7%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.5%. These three categories represent the majority of law enforcement activity in the town.

Property-related crime in Ottery St Mary—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 9.5 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. Burglary specifically is very rare, accounting for only 3.0% of total crime with a rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents. However, the prevalence of other theft (4.4%) and shoplifting (3.3%) indicates that property owners should still consider proactive measures to deter opportunistic incidents and maintain their security. This is particularly relevant given the town's residential character.

Ottery St Mary Crime Trends

Ottery St Mary is currently experiencing a stable crime trend, with a minor year-over-year increase of 1.9%. This indicates a consistent safety environment. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a relatively steady pattern throughout the year.

The year began with a crime rate of 3.6 in December, followed by a dip in the winter months. A peak occurred in June 2025, where the crime rate reached 5.9 per 1,000 people. Other minor spikes were seen in May (5.4) and April (4.8). Following these peaks, the rate dropped back to 2.5 in September and 3.1 in October, before finishing the year at 4.0 in November. This overall trajectory suggests that Ottery St Mary is successfully maintaining its safe character, with the total volume of crime remaining low and showing very little change compared to the previous 12-month period.

How To Keep Safe in Ottery St Mary

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Ottery St Mary. While the overall crime rate is low and stable, personal safety remains a key consideration. Here are several practical tips for staying safe:

Maintain a high level of awareness when walking through the area, particularly in the evening. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid isolated shortcuts. Sharing your travel plans or live location with a friend can provide an extra layer of security.

With criminal damage being a top-three crime, ensure your property is visibly protected. Use high-quality locks on all doors and windows, and consider installing a security system that offers proactive detection. Proactive lighting can also be a strong deterrent against anti-social behaviour around your home's perimeter.

Keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle and ensure it is parked in a secure, well-lit area. Following these simple steps can significantly reduce your risk of being targeted by opportunistic crime. Community awareness and reporting suspicious activity to the local police are also vital for maintaining Ottery St Mary's safety. Following these steps helps maintain the town's reputation as a secure and welcoming place.

Crime Timing in Ottery St Mary

The timing of criminal activity in Ottery St Mary reveals patterns that can help residents stay more secure. Theft is most prevalent during the day, accounting for 41% of incidents in the afternoon (12pm to 6pm) and 38% in the morning (6am to 12pm). This suggests that thefts are more likely when the town's retail areas and public spaces are most active.

Evening hours (6pm to 12am) see a significant rise in 'Other' crimes (66%), which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Night-time (12am to 6am) is particularly notable for burglary, which accounts for 21% of incidents during these hours—the highest proportion across all time periods. Vehicle crime is also much more prominent at night (17%) compared to the daytime. These patterns highlight that while personal safety is a priority during the afternoon and evening, property and vehicle security should be the main focus overnight.

Nearby Area Comparison

In the regional context, Ottery St Mary (44.4) maintains a strong safety profile. It is safer than the nearby town of Honiton (57.0) and is comparable to the high safety standards found across the East Devon district. While it is more active than smaller nearby villages like Feniton (14.6) and West Hill (33.4), it remains much safer than the UK national average. For those seeking a town with a strong community feel and a low crime rate, Ottery St Mary offers a balanced residential safety profile that is much more secure than many similar-sized urban areas across the country.

Proactive Security for Ottery St Mary Properties

With a property crime rate of 9.5 per 1,000 and burglary being a notable concern, residents of Ottery St Mary should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems are reactive; they record footage of a crime but only notify you after the event has occurred. In an area where criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are among the top concerns, proactive protection is essential.

The scOS operating system uses AI to provide a superior level of security. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS can detect a potential intruder at your property boundary before they attempt to enter. This AI-driven approach allows for an autonomous response—such as activating deterrent lights or speakers—which can stop a crime in its tracks. For Ottery St Mary homeowners, scOS offers features like pattern learning to recognise family and deliveries, ensuring you are only alerted to real threats. By destroying the element of surprise, scOS makes your home a much harder target, preventing crime rather than just documenting it. This proactive deterrence is far more effective than traditional recording, as it aims to prevent the crime entirely.