Ottery St Mary Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour dominated Ottery St Mary’s crime profile in June 2023, accounting for 38.5% of all reported incidents. This category, which includes disturbances, noise complaints, and unruly conduct, was the most common type of crime recorded, with 5 incidents reported. The area’s overall crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents placed it 75.3% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently low level of criminal activity compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences followed closely, making up 30.8% of total crimes, though these figures remained 76% below the UK average. The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer and the gradual increase in tourism—may have contributed to the pattern of anti-social behaviour, as visitors and local residents interact in shared spaces. While the area’s low crime rate suggests strong community cohesion and effective local policing, the spike in anti-social behaviour highlights the need for targeted interventions during peak tourist periods. The limited number of property crimes (2 incidents) and the absence of major violent incidents further reinforce Ottery St Mary’s status as a relatively safe built-up area within East Devon. These patterns align with the broader trend of rural and semi-rural communities in Devon experiencing lower crime rates than urban centres, though local factors such as community engagement and the absence of high-risk infrastructure likely play a role in maintaining this safety.

June 2023 saw a significant 300% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This jump, though still 76% below the UK average, raises questions about potential shifts in local dynamics during the summer months. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour surged by 150%, with reports rising from 2 to 5 incidents—a category that remains 46% below the UK average. This increase may reflect the growing presence of tourists and the associated challenges of managing public spaces during peak season. Other crime types also saw substantial changes: 'other crime' incidents doubled from 0 to 1, while vehicle crime fell by 50% (from 2 to 1). Public order offences, which had previously been more frequent, dropped by two-thirds, suggesting a possible realignment in the nature of local disturbances. These fluctuations highlight the volatility of crime patterns in small communities, where even minor changes can have outsized impacts on statistics. Residents may find the 70% reduction in vehicle crime particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a potential decrease in theft or vandalism targeting parked vehicles during the summer months.

Ottery St Mary’s crime rate in June 2023 rose by 18.2% compared to the previous month, increasing from 1.8 to 2.1 per 1,000 residents. This uptick, though still far below the UK average, suggests a temporary shift in local conditions that may be linked to the season. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 0 crimes per day over the month—a figure that underscores the rarity of criminal activity in this built-up area. When scaled to the population of 6,077 residents, this translates to roughly one reported crime for every 467 residents over the course of June, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low by national standards. This statistic provides residents with a tangible sense of the area’s safety, as it indicates that the vast majority of people in Ottery St Mary are unlikely to be directly affected by crime during any given month. The comparison to the previous month’s rate also highlights the importance of contextual factors: while the overall crime rate increased, the types of incidents reported remained consistent with the area’s historical profile. This suggests that the rise in anti-social behaviour and violence may be part of a broader seasonal trend rather than a sudden, systemic issue. The relatively stable population context further reinforces the idea that Ottery St Mary’s crime patterns are shaped more by external factors—such as tourism and weather—than by long-term demographic shifts.