Sidmouth Crime Rate March 2025 | Monthly Statistics

March 2025 marked a continuation of Sidmouth’s consistently low crime profile, with a total crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents — 61.5% below the UK average of 7.8 per 1,000. This rate reflects the town’s character as a largely rural built-up area within East Devon, where community cohesion and limited urban density likely contribute to lower crime levels. The breakdown of reported crimes highlights a stark contrast to national trends: violence and sexual offences (18 cases, 40.9% of total) remain the most common category, but at a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 — 56% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour (6 cases, 13.6%) and other theft (4 cases, 9.1%) follow, both significantly under UK rates. Seasonal factors may have influenced patterns, as the transition to spring and longer evenings could have increased foot traffic in Sidmouth’s retail and leisure areas. However, the absence of sharp spikes in property crime or vehicle theft aligns with the town’s low population density and limited industrial activity, which reduce opportunities for such offences. The data suggests that Sidmouth’s crime picture remains stable, with no major disruptions to local safety despite the seasonal shift.

March 2025 saw several notable reductions in crime, with public order offences falling by 57.1% compared to February, from seven to three cases. This decline may be attributed to the end of winter holidays and a shift in community activity patterns as the weather improved. Drug-related offences also dropped by 50%, from two to one case, suggesting a temporary reduction in illicit activity linked to seasonal or event-driven factors. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson decreased by 50%, from six to three incidents — a trend consistent with the broader seasonal context of reduced outdoor activity. On the other hand, three categories saw sharp increases: 'other crime' (up 100% from zero to three cases), burglary (up 100% from zero to one case), and shoplifting (up 100% from zero to three cases). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, may reflect the onset of Easter-related shopping or the start of the spring tourist season, which could have increased foot traffic in retail areas. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, but their rate (1.2 per 1,000) remained 56% below the UK average, illustrating Sidmouth’s continued divergence from national trends in this area.

Sidmouth’s crime rate in March 2025 (3.0 per 1,000) represents a 10.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.4 per 1,000, reinforcing the area’s long-term trend of stability. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately one crime per day in March — a figure that, while modest, provides a concrete reference point for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 330 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low by UK standards. This statistic underscores the town’s small population and the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. When contextualised against the UK average, Sidmouth’s performance is striking: its overall crime rate is 61.5% below the national average, and seven of the eight crime categories recorded in March were below UK rates. The only exception was 'other crime,' which was 5% above the UK average. This disparity highlights the importance of localised factors — such as the town’s rural character and limited commercial infrastructure — in shaping its unique crime profile. For residents, these figures translate to a tangible sense of safety, with crime remaining a rare rather than routine occurrence in daily life.