Bow Crime Rate

Statistics for Bow

Bow is an exceptionally safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This outstanding performance is reflected in its safety score of 94/100, placing it well above the national average of 78/100. Furthermore, the crime trend in Bow is decreasing, with a substantial 37.1% reduction year-over-year. With a population of 1,791, the area experiences very few criminal incidents, making it one of the most secure places to live in the Mid Devon local authority. While no area is entirely crime-free, the data for Bow suggests a very peaceful and low-risk environment for its residents. The following sections provide a more detailed look at the specific crime types and patterns in the area.

Crime Breakdown in Bow

Bow is a very low-crime area where violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, with 16 recorded incidents accounting for 41.0% of the total. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (7 incidents, 17.9%) and burglary (5 incidents, 12.8%). Other theft also makes up 10.3% of the local crime profile.

The property crime rate in Bow is exceptionally low at 7.3 per 1,000 residents, which is far below the UK average of 32.9. This category includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. For homeowners, the fact that burglary is the third most common crime type—despite the low overall numbers—suggests it is a relatively significant concern within the local context. However, with only 5 incidents reported over the entire year, the actual risk remains minimal. Similarly, vehicle crime is almost non-existent with only 1 reported incident. For residents, the data suggests that while Bow is very safe, maintaining basic security for homes and outbuildings is the most practical way to address the small amount of property crime that does occur.

Crime Trends in Bow

The crime trend in Bow is currently on a significant downward trajectory, with a 37.1% decrease year-over-year. This is a very positive sign for the community, indicating that the area is becoming even safer. Monthly trendData shows that crime rates have remained consistently low throughout the past year. The highest crime rate was recorded in June 2025 at 3.4 per 1,000 residents.

Many months, such as December 2024, January 2025, and several months in late 2025, saw rates as low as 1.1 or 1.7 per 1,000. These figures are exceptionally low and suggest that crime in Bow is infrequent and well-managed. The overall decrease of over a third in just one year highlights Bow’s status as a very secure and stable environment for its 1,791 residents. This positive trend should give residents and prospective movers great confidence in the safety of the settlement.

How To Keep Safe in Bow

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Bow, although the total number of incidents is very low. Maintaining personal safety and community vigilance are key to keeping the area safe.

To stay safe, it is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone after dark. Stick to well-lit areas and let someone know your expected arrival time. Given that burglary is a top three concern locally, ensure that your home is always locked, even when you are inside, and that spare keys are never hidden in obvious places outside. Installing motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your property can deter both burglars and anti-social behaviour. Since anti-social behaviour is the second most common crime, residents are encouraged to report any incidents to the local council or police to help maintain the area’s peaceful atmosphere. Finally, joining a local community group or Neighbourhood Watch can help keep you informed about any local issues and provide a collective sense of security.

Temporal Crime Patterns

Crime in Bow follows a distinct temporal pattern. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 57% and 58% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely to occur during the day when people are active or away from their homes.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become more prominent at 41%. Burglary also increases during this time, making up 23% of evening reports. Overnight (12am - 6am), burglary reaches its peak relative frequency, accounting for 30% of all night-time incidents. Vehicle crime also sees its highest relative frequency at night (24%). These patterns indicate that while daytime is the peak for theft, the evening and night hours are the primary window for burglary and vehicle-related offences. Residents should ensure that their property is well-secured as darkness falls.

Nearby Area Comparison

In the context of the Mid Devon region, Bow is a very safe community. Its crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 is considerably lower than that of nearby North Tawton (39.1) and Copplestone (35.7). While it is slightly more active than the rural areas of Zeal Monachorum and Lapford, both of which recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000, Bow remains an exceptionally low-crime settlement. For those looking for a safe place to live with a few more local amenities than the smallest hamlets, Bow offers an excellent balance of security and community activity, performing better than several of its immediate neighbours.

Home Security and Protection

Bow enjoys a remarkably low property crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents. However, with burglary being the third most common crime type in the area, homeowners should not be complacent. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive—they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed. In a quiet area like Bow, the goal should be to prevent any criminal activity from occurring in the first place.

The scOS AI-powered operating system provides proactive protection by monitoring your property’s boundaries in real-time. Using advanced AI, it can distinguish between a neighbour, a delivery person, and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously respond with deterrents like lights and audio alerts, often stopping an opportunistic thief before they even reach your door. For Bow residents, this means that the rare threat of burglary can be effectively managed, ensuring that your home remains as safe as the surrounding community. Proactive AI protection is the most effective way to maintain the high safety standards that Bow is known for.