Mid Devon Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, Mid Devon's crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents placed it 60% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, a figure that underscores the area's relatively safe environment for residents. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.7%) and criminal damage and arson (11.2%). These figures suggest that personal safety concerns, particularly around violent incidents, remain a prominent feature of the local crime profile. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter and springtime outdoor activity—may contribute to patterns observed, with increased social interactions potentially influencing both violent and anti-social behaviour rates. The area's violent crime rate of 1.2 per 1,000 is 54% below the UK average for this category, a gap that may reflect broader societal trends or effective local policing strategies. However, the high proportion of violent offences within the local crime mix contrasts with the overall low rate, indicating that while the area is statistically safer than the UK average, residents may still face a higher likelihood of encountering violent crime compared to other regions. The relatively low rates of property crimes, such as burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000), which are 67% and 78% below UK averages respectively, further highlight the area's distinct profile, shaped by its geographical and demographic characteristics.

April 2023 saw sharp increases in robbery, possession of weapons, and theft from the person, each doubling from zero or single incidents in March. These spikes, though small in absolute terms, signal potential shifts in criminal activity, possibly linked to Easter-related events or increased foot traffic during the spring season. Conversely, drug-related crimes plummeted by 88.9%, from nine to one, a drop that may reflect seasonal changes in drug use patterns or targeted enforcement efforts. The crime mix in Mid Devon remains skewed towards violent offences—violence and sexual offences alone make up 41% of all crimes—despite being 54% below the UK average for this category. This contrast suggests that while the area's violent crime rates are lower than national norms, the proportion of such crimes within the local total remains elevated, a dynamic that could reflect local demographic or social factors.

Mid Devon's crime rate in April 2023 fell to 3.0 per 1,000 residents, an 11.9% decrease from March's 3.4 per 1,000. This brings the area's rate further below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, a gap that widened to 60% in April. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 8 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 339 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low level of personal risk compared to national averages. The population of 84,993 means that even with 251 total crimes, the distribution across the district remains sparse. This contrast with the UK's higher overall rate highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the area's inherent characteristics, such as its rural-urban mix, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime.