Topsham Crime Rate

Topsham is a highly secure riverside community with an exceptional safety score of 91/100, far exceeding the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate is remarkably low at 37.5 per 1,000 people, which is less than half the national average of 91.6. However, recent data shows an increasing trend, with crime rates rising by 19.7% year-over-year. Despite this increase, property crime remains low at 14.2 per 1,000 residents—significantly better than the UK average of 32.2. Topsham's reputation as a safe and desirable residential area is well-supported by these figures, though the recent upward shift suggests a need for continued vigilance. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the crime types, monthly fluctuations, and temporal patterns within this peaceful settlement.

Crime Breakdown in Topsham

In Topsham, the most frequently recorded crimes are violence and sexual offences, which account for 39.0% of the total (14.6 per 1,000 people). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 15.9%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 14.8%. These figures reflect a typical profile for a safe, residential riverside community where minor disturbances are more common than serious criminal activity.

Property crime in Topsham—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—has a collective rate of 14.2 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, other theft accounts for 7.7% of total crime, while burglary stands at 6.6% (2.5 per 1,000). Vehicle crime is very low, representing only 1.1% of all recorded incidents. For homeowners, these statistics are reassuring, indicating that Topsham remains a low-risk environment for property-related offences. However, the recent increase in overall crime suggests that maintaining good residential security is becoming increasingly important to preserve the area's safe character.

Crime Trends in Topsham

The crime trend in Topsham is currently increasing, with a 19.7% change year-over-year. While the area remains very safe compared to national averages, this upward shift is a notable change for the local community and suggests that residents should be more mindful of security than in previous years.

Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with clear peaks in the spring and summer. March saw the highest rate of 5.0 per 1,000, followed by July at 4.5. The year began with a very low rate of 1.9 in January, and while there were fluctuations, the rates generally stayed above 2.0 for the remainder of the year. November saw another slight rise to 3.9 before ending the year at 2.7 in December. These monthly variations, combined with the overall annual increase, highlight a more active security environment in Topsham than in the previous twelve-month period. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about local safety trends.

How To Keep Safe in Topsham

Violence and sexual offences, along with anti-social behaviour, are the most common crime types in Topsham. While the area is very safe, the recent increase in crime suggests that maintaining personal safety awareness is beneficial.

When walking near the riverside or through the village in the evening, try to stay in well-lit areas. Being aware of your surroundings and using well-frequented routes can help you stay safe.

Anti-social behaviour is a notable factor locally, so residents are encouraged to report any persistent disturbances to the local neighbourhood policing team. Community engagement is vital for maintaining Topsham's peaceful character and helping police allocate their resources effectively.

Finally, ensure your home is secure by using high-quality locks and external lighting. Motion-activated lights are a simple but powerful deterrent against the property crimes that can occur even in low-crime areas. With burglary accounting for 6.6% of total crime, ensuring your home is a hard target is a wise step to protect your property and contribute to the overall safety of the community.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Topsham

Crime in Topsham follows distinct temporal patterns, with different types of offences more likely at certain times of the day. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are the primary concern, making up 35% and 34% of total recorded activity respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most active during the busier daytime hours.

In contrast, the evening (6pm - 12am) and night (12am - 6am) periods see a shift in the proportional risk of property crime. During these late hours, burglary reaches its highest proportional peaks at 20% in the evening and 28% at night. This indicates that while the overall volume of crime is low, the risk of a residential break-in increases significantly under the cover of darkness. Residents are advised to ensure their home security is most robust during the late-night and afternoon windows, when these specific property crimes are proportionally most frequent. Overall, the area remains exceptionally safe, but these patterns highlight when caution is most beneficial.

Topsham is one of the safest settlements in the Exeter region. Its crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the main Exeter built-up area (116.9) and neighbouring Exminster (63.8). It is also more secure than Clyst St Mary, which has a rate of 54.0. While the very small nearby hamlets of Ebford (0.0) and Exton (20.6) report even lower figures, Topsham offers a very high level of security for an area with its level of amenities and population. For those looking for a safe residential environment close to Exeter, Topsham remains a premier choice, consistently performing better than the wider UK average.

Topsham's property crime rate of 14.2 per 1,000 residents is very low, but the 19.7% year-over-year increase in overall crime indicates that proactive security is becoming more relevant for local homeowners. Traditional security systems are often reactive—they record footage of a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. In a quiet, high-value area like Topsham, the goal should be to prevent crime before it even starts.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that shifts the focus from recording to prevention. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's boundary 24/7, distinguishing between normal activity and real threats. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously respond with lights and speakers to deter them immediately. This proactive deterrence is far more effective than traditional systems, as it destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Topsham residents, scOS provides the peace of mind that their home is being watched by an intelligent system that doesn't just record crime, but actively works to keep it away from their property line. Choosing proactive protection over simple recording means you are actively defending your home rather than just documenting its loss.