Ottery St Mary Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in October 2024 stood at 3.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 63% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This marked disparity highlights the area's generally low crime profile, though the data reveals a combination of trends within specific categories. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most prevalent crime type, accounting for 44.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (27.8%) and criminal damage and arson (5.6%). The seasonal context of October, with its shorter daylight hours and the approach of Halloween, likely influenced these patterns, as darker evenings may have contributed to a rise in incidents involving alcohol or group gatherings. While the overall crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, the increase in violent crimes—particularly the 14.3% rise in violence and sexual offences—suggests a need for continued awareness, especially in areas where community events or local traditions might coincide with increased social activity. The relatively low levels of property crime, including shoplifting and vehicle crime, which are both 72% and 57% below their respective UK averages, further reinforce the town's safety profile, though the doubling of these categories compared to the previous month indicates a potential shift in criminal behaviour that warrants attention.

October 2024 saw notable spikes in shoplifting and vehicle crime, both of which increased by 100% compared to the previous month, with one incident each recorded. Violence and sexual offences also rose by 14.3%, from seven to eight incidents, though this category remains 51% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime, decreased by 38% compared to the UK average, reflecting a broader trend of lower property-related offences. The absence of criminal damage and arson, which fell by 66.7% from three to one incident, suggests a temporary reduction in such crimes, possibly linked to the transition into darker evenings and the impact of Halloween activities on community behaviour. Residents should remain vigilant, particularly in areas with increased foot traffic during evening hours, as the rise in shoplifting and vehicle crime highlights potential vulnerabilities in local security measures.

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in October 2024 (3.0 per 1,000 residents) marked a 21.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.8 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend in local crime. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 338 residents, a figure that places the area in stark contrast to UK-wide averages, though direct comparison is not possible due to the absence of national monthly exposure data. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a low frequency that aligns with the town's overall safety profile. This rate is particularly noteworthy when considered alongside the population of 6,077, underscoring that even with the increases in specific crime categories, the overall impact on residents remains minimal. The combination of low crime density and a stable, community-oriented environment likely contributes to this pattern, though seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween may have temporarily influenced crime dynamics.