Ottery St Mary Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in March 2024 stood at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 53.2% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends highlights the area's relative safety, a pattern consistent with its character as a small, largely rural built-up area within East Devon. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 50% of all reported crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (13.6%) and shoplifting (13.6%). These figures suggest a crime profile shaped by local factors such as the town's compact size and limited commercial density. The seasonal transition to spring may have influenced patterns, with longer evenings potentially increasing opportunities for violent incidents. However, the area's overall low crime rate remains an outlier compared to larger urban centres, where property crime typically dominates. Violent crime in Ottery St Mary is 33% below the UK average, a gap that may reflect the community's close-knit nature and lower population density. Despite the presence of a few retail outlets, shoplifting rates are also 18% below the national average, due to the limited foot traffic typical of smaller towns. The data underscores a crime environment where interpersonal offences predominate, yet remain at levels significantly lower than national benchmarks.

March 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with possession of weapons rising by 100% (from 0 to 2 incidents) and other theft increasing by 100% (from 1 to 2). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, mark a departure from the previous month's figures and may signal emerging trends warranting closer attention. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted slightly, with violent crimes (11) now outnumbering property crimes (9) for the first time this year. This reversal contrasts with the UK average, where property crime typically constitutes a larger share of total reported incidents. The area's violent crime rate (1.8 per 1,000) is 33% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), a gap that persists despite the recent increase. Conversely, the possession of weapons category stands out as an anomaly, with rates 329% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000). This stark deviation raises questions about local enforcement priorities or reporting practices, though the low absolute numbers suggest it remains a rare occurrence. Residents may find the 18% below-average shoplifting rate (0.5 vs 0.6 per 1,000) particularly relevant, given the area's limited retail presence compared to larger centres.

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in March 2024 (3.6 per 1,000) marked a 15.7% increase from February's 3.1 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. This monthly rise translates to one reported crime for every 276 residents over the course of the month, a figure that underscores the area's low overall exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. Daily crime statistics show an average of one incident per day in March, a pace that is slower than the UK's average of roughly two crimes per day in similar-sized areas. When considering the population context, the 6,077 residents of Ottery St Mary experienced a crime rate that is 53.2% below the national benchmark, a gap that reflects both the area's rural character and its effective community policing efforts. The comparison to UK averages reveals a crime picture where violent incidents are 33% below the national rate, yet weapon possession rates are 329% above – a paradox that may stem from the area's unique enforcement focus or reporting dynamics. For residents, the 1-in-276 monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of safety, illustrating how the area's small size and low population density contribute to its distinct crime profile compared to more densely populated regions.