Sidmouth Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Sidmouth's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 3.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 50% below the UK average of 6.4. This marked contrast with national trends highlights the area's unique characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.6% of all crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (14.9%) and other theft (12.8%). These figures suggest a crime profile skewed toward personal disputes and property damage rather than large-scale theft or burglary. The low overall rate aligns with Sidmouth's status as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where seasonal patterns often influence crime trends. February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, saw a pre-spring lull in many crime categories, though the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson defied expectations. This anomaly may reflect the impact of colder weather on property maintenance or increased indoor gatherings from the data alone. The area's relatively low burglary rate (4.3 per 1,000) and absence of drug-related crimes (0.1 per 1,000) further distinguish it from larger urban centres, where such issues are more prevalent. These patterns are consistent with Sidmouth's small-town dynamics and limited industrial activity, though the exact reasons for the rise in specific crime types remain unclear without additional local context.

February 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories compared to January. Criminal damage and arson surged by 133.3%, jumping from 3 to 7 incidents—a stark increase that outpaced other categories. This rise, though still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, raises questions about potential seasonal factors or unmet maintenance needs in the area. Vehicle crime also doubled to 5 incidents, marking a 100% increase, which may reflect changes in parking patterns during the winter months. In contrast, shoplifting fell sharply by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), potentially linked to reduced foot traffic during February's colder weather. The most notable UK comparison came in the violence and sexual offences category, which was 40% below the national average of 2.3 per 1,000. This suggests Sidmouth's community may have stronger social cohesion or more effective local interventions than average. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and public order offences both declined, with the latter dropping 50% to 1 incident. For residents, the sharp drop in shoplifting could be a positive sign for local businesses, though the increase in criminal damage and arson warrants closer monitoring. The overall balance of property and violent crimes remained relatively stable, with property crimes making up 44.7% of total incidents.

Sidmouth's crime rate in February 2026 fell to 3.2 per 1,000 residents, a 9.5% decrease from January's 3.6. This decline brings the area's annualised rate even further below the UK average, though the month-to-month variation suggests seasonal influences may still play a role. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that appears modest when compared to larger urban centres but may feel more pronounced in a small community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 309 residents—a rate that, while low, underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance in a place where crime is infrequent but not entirely absent. With a population of 14,512, the absolute number of incidents (47) is small enough that individual cases can have a measurable impact on local perceptions. The area's relatively low burglary rate (0.1 per 1,000) and absence of drug-related crimes (0.1 per 1,000) further distinguish it from the UK average, where these issues are more common. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson highlights the need for targeted efforts in addressing property-related crimes, which remain a local outlier compared to national trends.