Sidmouth Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Sidmouth, the crime rate in May 2024 translates to a 1-in-188 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. At 5.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, this is 36.9% below the UK average of 8.4, marking one of the lowest rates in the country for this built-up coastal area. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (26 incidents, 33.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (18 incidents, 23.4%) and other theft (9 incidents, 11.7%). These figures align with the seasonal rhythm of May, when longer evenings and increased socialising in Sidmouth’s coastal setting may contribute to higher reports of violence and anti-social behaviour. The town’s relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average is consistent with its character as a tourist destination with a strong community presence and limited industrial activity. However, the proportion of violent crimes (1.8 per 1,000) remains slightly above the UK average for this category (2.8 per 1,000), suggesting targeted local factors such as the density of nightlife areas or transient populations may play a role. Sidmouth’s property crime rate (25 incidents, 32.5% of total) is also significantly lower than the UK average, reflecting the town’s compact, low-density layout and limited high-value retail zones.

May 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+250%) and other theft (+200%), with seven and nine incidents respectively—both well below the UK average for these categories. This surge in theft-related crimes may be linked to the start of the summer tourist season, as increased foot traffic in Sidmouth’s retail areas could create opportunities for opportunistic offenders. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 70.6% (from 17 to 5 incidents), likely due to the absence of major events or seasonal factors that typically drive such crimes in the area. Burglary also dropped by 57.1% (from 7 to 3 incidents), reflecting improved home security measures or the town’s low population density reducing opportunities. Anti-social behaviour (18 incidents) remained 17% below the UK average, a trend that may be attributed to Sidmouth’s strong community policing efforts and the town’s character as a quieter, more residential coastal area. The significant drop in public order offences (from 6 to 3, -50%) aligns with the generally calm atmosphere of Sidmouth during May, when local festivals and events are typically less frequent than in peak summer months.

Compared to April 2024, Sidmouth’s crime rate in May fell by 3.6% to 5.3 per 1,000 residents from 5.5, indicating a slight but consistent decline in overall crime. This corresponds to roughly 2 crimes per day in the town, a figure that places Sidmouth among the safest areas in the UK for this size of population. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for every 188 residents—a ratio that underscores the town’s low-risk environment for daily life. When scaled to Sidmouth’s population of 14,512, the 77 total crimes reported equate to a monthly exposure rate that is 36.9% below the UK average, highlighting the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies. The daily crime count (2 per day) is particularly useful for residents assessing their personal risk, as it provides a concrete metric for understanding how often crimes occur in their immediate vicinity. This figure is further contextualised by the town’s population size, which means Sidmouth’s crime burden is spread across fewer residents than the UK average, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a relatively safe place to live despite its coastal location and seasonal fluctuations in visitor numbers.