Ottery St Mary Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

May 2023 marked a significant shift in Ottery St Mary’s crime profile, with public order offences surging by 100% and burglary cases doubling compared to April. Despite these spikes, the overall crime rate remained exceptionally low at 1.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 77.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. The most prevalent crimes were public order offences (27.3% of total incidents), followed by other theft and vehicle crime, each contributing 18.2% to the monthly tally. This distribution suggests a focus on low-level disputes and minor property crimes rather than violent incidents, which accounted for just 9.1% of all reported crimes. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as May’s bank holidays, longer evenings, and increased outdoor socialising may have contributed to the rise in public order issues. However, the area’s consistently low crime rate—particularly for violent offences (0.2 per 1,000) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000)—reflects the effectiveness of local policing and the character of Ottery St Mary itself. As a small built-up area within East Devon, the town’s tight-knit community, limited commercial activity, and rural surroundings likely contribute to its safety profile. These factors, combined with the month’s transient nature, help explain the stark contrast between Ottery St Mary’s crime trends and the UK average.

Public order offences saw the most dramatic shift in May 2023, surging by 100% from 0 to 3 incidents. This increase, coupled with a 100% rise in burglary cases, contrasts sharply with steep declines in anti-social behaviour (-71.4%) and violence and sexual offences (-50%). These changes reflect a combination of seasonal and local factors. Public order crimes, which now account for 27.3% of total incidents, are 24% below the UK average (0.7 per 1,000), suggesting that local enforcement or community dynamics may be influencing this category. Anti-social behaviour, which dropped from 7 to 2 cases, remains 77% below the UK average (1.3 per 1,000), indicating sustained effectiveness in addressing this issue. Residents may find the low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) particularly noteworthy, as it is 35% below the UK average (0.3 per 1,000). The month-on-month shifts highlight how transient factors—such as bank holidays and extended daylight—can influence crime patterns in this small built-up area.

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in May 2023 fell by 42.2% compared to the previous month, dropping from 3.1 to 1.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend of reduced anti-social behaviour and violence, though public order offences saw a notable spike. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 0 crimes per day in May, reflecting the low overall rate. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 552 residents, highlighting the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. This figure places Ottery St Mary far below the UK average, where residents face significantly higher exposure to crime. The population context further underscores the area’s safety, as the 6,077 residents experience crime at a rate 77.5% below the national average. These metrics suggest that Ottery St Mary’s crime profile remains exceptionally low, even when accounting for seasonal factors like extended evenings and increased social activity in May.