Mid Devon Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Mid Devon’s crime profile in January 2024 was characterised by a lower overall rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 43.2% below the UK average. This stark contrast to national figures underscores the district’s unique profile, which may be influenced by its rural-urban mix and seasonal patterns. Violent crimes formed the largest share of incidents (46.2%), yet remained 23% below the UK average, suggesting effective local interventions or demographic factors such as lower population density. Anti-social behaviour (14.5%) and criminal damage (9.8%) followed, both significantly underperforming compared to national benchmarks. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, shorter days, and reduced retail footfall—likely contributed to lower rates of property crimes and theft from the person, though these were still present at 7.0% and 1.1% of all incidents, respectively. The breakdown illustrates a combination of local conditions and broader trends, with violent crime’s dominance hinting at community-specific challenges that may require targeted policing or social initiatives. However, the overall low crime rate indicates a relatively safe environment, particularly when compared to larger urban areas.

Violent crimes dominated Mid Devon’s crime picture in January, making up 46.2% of all reported incidents—this category was 23% below the UK average. While overall crime rates fell, specific categories saw sharp fluctuations: vehicle crime rose by 83.3% compared to December, and bicycle theft doubled. Conversely, drug-related offences dropped by 60%, and shoplifting fell by 33.3%, potentially reflecting seasonal changes in retail activity and foot traffic. The 100% increase in bicycle theft may indicate heightened vulnerability during colder weather, when cyclists are more likely to be outdoors. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns, with some categories responding directly to environmental and temporal factors.

Mid Devon's crime rate in January 2024 fell by 7.3% compared to December 2023, dropping from 4.6 to 4.2 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the typical post-holiday lull in retail and public spaces, which may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, 12 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity within the district. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 237 residents, a rate that reflects the area’s relatively low overall crime profile. When scaled to Mid Devon’s population of 84,993, this translates to a manageable level of exposure for most residents. The reduction in drug-related crimes by 60% and the 50% drop in weapon possession offences suggest possible enforcement actions or seasonal disengagement from illicit networks, though these shifts remain subject to further analysis.