Ottery St Mary Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,077, Ottery St Mary recorded 22 crimes in December 2023, translating to a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 50% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, highlighting the area’s comparatively low crime profile. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (8 cases, 36.4% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (4 cases, 18.2%) and criminal damage and arson (4 cases, 18.2%). Seasonal factors likely influenced these patterns: December’s Christmas shopping peak, extended dark evenings, and the holiday season may have contributed to increased reports of anti-social behaviour and violent incidents, particularly in public spaces. The area’s character as a small, built-up town within East Devon—potentially with a mix of residential and retail areas—may explain the focus on property-related crimes and public order issues. While the overall rate remains low, the seasonal context suggests that temporary spikes in certain crime types are consistent with local rhythms, such as heightened social activity during the festive period.

December 2023 saw a 100% increase in anti-social behaviour (2 to 4 cases) and other theft (0 to 2 cases), alongside a 100% rise in public order offences (0 to 1 case). These shifts suggest a temporary uptick in disturbances, possibly linked to the festive season’s social dynamics. Violent crimes, however, remained significantly below the UK average, with 8 cases (1.3 per 1,000) compared to the national rate of 2.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect the area’s smaller, more cohesive community structure, where local policing and social cohesion could mitigate violent incidents. Conversely, criminal damage and arson (0.7 per 1,000) were 25% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), indicating a specific vulnerability in this category. Residents might find the 50% reduction in shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) notable, due to the town’s lower retail density or effective local deterrents. These variations underscore how local conditions—such as population density, economic activity, and policing—can shape crime patterns even within a broadly low-risk area.

The crime rate in December 2023 (3.6 per 1,000) marked an 83.8% increase from the previous month’s rate of 2.0 per 1,000, reflecting a notable seasonal fluctuation. Over the 31 days of December, this translated to roughly 1 crime per day—a figure that, while seemingly frequent, corresponds to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 276 residents. This statistic contextualises the impact on individuals: in a month, each resident had a 1-in-276 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime, a rate far lower than the UK average. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates that Ottery St Mary’s crime levels remain exceptionally low relative to its size. Despite the month-on-month rise, the area’s overall crime rate is still 50% below the UK average, demonstrating resilience to national trends. This contrast may stem from the town’s compact size, strong community networks, and limited urban sprawl, which can reduce opportunities for certain crimes while fostering quicker local responses to incidents.