Ottery St Mary Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 marked a continuation of Ottery St Mary's historically low crime profile, with a total rate of 3.1 crimes per 1,000 residents—56.3% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure, though modest, reflects the area's character as a built-up community within East Devon, where small-scale commercial activity and residential density coexist with a strong sense of local cohesion. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 57.9% of all incidents (11 cases), a rate of 1.8 per 1,000 that remains 28% below the UK average. This category's decline by 21.4% compared to January suggests possible seasonal factors, as the pre-spring lull in outdoor activity may reduce opportunities for public-facing crimes. Shoplifting emerged as the second most common crime (15.8% share), with three incidents recorded—a sharp 200% increase from January but still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. The seasonal context of February, with its low outdoor activity and limited retail footfall, may partly explain these trends. Meanwhile, property crimes collectively accounted for 42.1% of incidents (7 cases), with burglary, criminal damage, and other theft each contributing smaller shares. The area's low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) and the absence of vehicle crime—a category absent in the breakdown—further distinguish it from larger urban centres where such offences are more common. This data underscores the unique dynamics of crime in a small built-up area, where community policing and the physical layout of the town may play a pivotal role in shaping local crime patterns.

February 2024 saw a sharp rise in shoplifting, with incidents tripling from one to three—a 200% increase. This surge, though still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, may reflect seasonal shifts as retail activity resumes after the winter lull. Concurrently, burglary and other theft each doubled from zero to one incident, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in residential security during this period. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 21.4%, falling from 14 to 11 incidents, a trend consistent with the area's 28% below-average rate for this category. The reduction in criminal damage and arson by 50%—from four to two incidents—could be influenced by the low outdoor activity typical of February. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns in a small built-up area where local factors, such as seasonal rhythms and community engagement, play a significant role.

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in February 2024 dropped to 3.1 per 1,000 residents, a 17.2% decrease from 3.8 per 1,000 in January. This decline aligns with the seasonal lull typical of winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and community routines shift toward indoor spaces. Over 29 days, the area recorded one crime per day on average, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 320 residents over the month. While this monthly exposure rate may seem low, it reflects a consistent pattern of limited criminal activity in this built-up area of East Devon. The population context further underscores the area's relative safety: with 6,077 residents, the 19 total crimes recorded represent a manageable proportion of the community. This suggests that local policing efforts, combined with the town's character as a low-density built-up area, may contribute to the sustained suppression of crime compared to larger urban centres.