Sidmouth Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 14,512, 66 crimes reported in June 2024 translates to one crime occurring for every 220 residents over the course of the month. This rate of 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents places Sidmouth 43.9% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a gap consistent with the area’s character as a coastal town with a strong tourism sector and lower population density. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (27 cases, 40.9% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (10 cases, 15.2%) and burglary (6 cases, 9.1%). The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer and the beginning of the tourist season—likely contributes to patterns in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, as increased foot traffic and outdoor activity may heighten opportunities for such incidents. However, property crime rates remain lower than the UK average, with shoplifting and criminal damage both recording 52% and 51% reductions respectively. This aligns with the area’s mix of residential and tourist-oriented spaces, where community engagement and local policing may play a role in mitigating property-related offences. The breakdown also shows a higher proportion of violent crime compared to the UK average, a trend that may reflect the demographic profile of Sidmouth, which includes a significant proportion of older residents and seasonal workers.

June 2024 saw sharp increases in three specific crime categories: vehicle crime, burglary, and possession of weapons, all doubling from zero to one or three to six cases compared to May. This spike in vehicle crime—now at 0.1 per 1,000 residents—suggests a potential shift in criminal activity, though the single incident reported may reflect isolated events rather than a broader trend. Conversely, other theft fell by 66.7% (from 9 to 3 cases) and anti-social behaviour dropped by 44.4% (from 18 to 10 cases), linked to increased community policing efforts or seasonal changes in public behaviour. The crime mix also shows marked deviations from UK averages: violence and sexual offences in Sidmouth are 31% below the national rate, while burglary is 33% above. This contrast may indicate that while Sidmouth’s smaller size and community-focused environment reduce opportunities for certain crimes, its proximity to rural areas and limited commercial zones could increase vulnerability to burglary. For residents, the 52% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average offers a tangible benefit, likely supported by the town’s compact retail presence and local oversight.

The crime rate in June 2024 (4.6 per 1,000) represents a 14.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.3 per 1,000, a decline that aligns with the transition from spring to summer, when outdoor activities typically increase and may displace certain types of crime into more private or less monitored spaces. On a daily basis, Sidmouth experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in June—a figure that, when scaled to the town’s population, equates to one crime occurring for every 220 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a clear benchmark for residents: the likelihood of encountering crime in Sidmouth is significantly lower than the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be one in 123 residents. However, the 33% increase in burglary compared to the UK average (0.4 vs 0.3 per 1,000) underscores a specific vulnerability, potentially tied to the town’s mix of older housing stock and seasonal occupancy patterns. While the overall rate remains well below national levels, the comparison highlights the importance of targeted measures for property crime, particularly as tourism and seasonal migration may introduce temporary risk factors. For a town of Sidmouth’s size, these figures illustrate both the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies and the need for continued vigilance in addressing niche vulnerabilities.