Cullompton Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cullompton's crime rate in March 2024 stood at 4.7 per 1,000 residents, 39% below the UK average of 7.7. This figures among the lowest rates in the country for a built-up area of its size, reflecting the town's character as a relatively quiet commuter hub with limited nightlife and commercial activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly half of all reported crimes (27 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (14) and public order incidents (4). The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks moving forward, may partly explain the spike in violent crime, as more people spend time outdoors. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the town's property crime rate is particularly low—just 6 incidents for the month, 64% below the UK average for other theft. This aligns with Cullompton's demographic profile, where residential areas dominate and commercial spaces are limited to the town centre. The low levels of vehicle crime (1 incident) and shoplifting (1 incident) further support the idea that the area is less prone to opportunistic theft compared to larger urban centres. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences raises questions about local factors, such as the presence of transient populations or patterns of domestic disputes during the spring season.

March 2024 saw a dramatic 133.3% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 6 to 14 incidents—a stark contrast to the 80% drop in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 5 to 1. This shift in crime mix suggests a move from more property-focused offences to those involving public disruption, potentially linked to seasonal social activities. Violence and sexual offences, while remaining the most common category (48.2% of all crimes), were 14% below the UK average, highlighting Cullompton's relative safety in this area. Anti-social behaviour's 3% above the UK average (1.2 vs 1.2 per 1,000) is a notable anomaly, possibly reflecting the town's limited policing resources or challenges in managing community tensions. The complete absence of vehicle crime in February, followed by a 100% increase in March, may indicate a temporary spike tied to local events or changes in parking patterns. Meanwhile, the 100% rise in drug-related offences—from 0 to 3—suggests a new or emerging issue that deserves closer attention. These fluctuations underscore the importance of month-on-month tracking to identify trends that might not be apparent in annual data.

Cullompton's crime rate rose 36.5% from February's 3.5 per 1,000 to 4.7 per 1,000 in March 2024, marking the first upward movement in the past year. This increase translates to roughly 2 crimes per day on average, a figure that, while low, reflects the town's small population of 11,887. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 212 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average for similar-sized areas. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cullompton's residents face a far lower risk of victimisation than the national average, particularly in property crime categories. However, the rise in violent crime and anti-social behaviour suggests that local authorities may need to reassess resource allocation. For residents, the daily crime count provides a tangible metric: on average, two incidents occur in the town each day, though these are spread across different categories and locations. This rate is consistent with Cullompton's status as a low-crime area, but the recent upward trend indicates the need for continued monitoring of specific crime types, especially those showing sharp increases like anti-social behaviour.