Ottery St Mary Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2025, Ottery St Mary recorded 29 crimes across its population of 6,077 residents, translating to a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000—a figure 31.4% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This rate, while lower than the national average, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal influences. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 17 incidents (58.6% of total crimes), followed by criminal damage and arson (4 incidents, 13.8%) and anti-social behaviour (3 incidents, 10.3%). The high proportion of violent crimes is particularly notable, as this category was 9% above the UK average, despite the overall rate being significantly lower. This discrepancy may be attributed to the area's character as a small, built-up community within East Devon, where interpersonal conflicts and social dynamics could contribute to higher rates of violence. December, a month marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the potential for empty homes during holiday periods, may have influenced these patterns. The relatively low property crime rate (6 incidents) compared to violent crimes suggests a different crime profile than in larger urban areas, where property-related offences often dominate. However, the sharp rise in bicycle theft (from zero to one incident) and the 100% increase in drugs-related offences highlight emerging trends that warrant further analysis. These changes may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic in retail areas or shifts in local demographics during the holiday season. Overall, the data illustrates a community with a lower-than-average crime rate but one that experiences specific challenges, particularly in violent crimes and emerging issues like drugs-related offences, which require tailored approaches to prevention and response.

December 2025 saw a sharp increase in specific crime categories, including a 100% rise in bicycle theft, drugs-related offences, and criminal damage and arson. These jumps, from zero to one in bicycle theft and drugs, and from two to four in criminal damage, signal a notable shift in the crime mix. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 75%, dropping from four to one incident, a decrease that may reflect seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic during the holiday period. The breakdown of crimes also reveals that violence and sexual offences in Ottery St Mary were 9% above the UK average, despite the overall rate being significantly lower. This contrast highlights the importance of focusing on specific categories when assessing local trends, as the area's profile differs markedly from the national average in certain areas. For residents, the 100% increase in bicycle theft—a crime type typically associated with urban areas—may raise questions about local security measures and the need for targeted prevention strategies.

Ottery St Mary's crime rate in December 2025 rose by 20.8% from the previous month, moving from 4.0 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that translates to a manageable frequency for a community of 6,077 residents. When considering the monthly exposure, the data reveals that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 210 residents—a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents within the population. This monthly aggregate suggests a relatively low level of crime compared to the UK average, but the upward trend from November to December underscores the need for continued monitoring, particularly as seasonal factors such as holiday-related activity may influence patterns in the coming months.