Mid Devon Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Mid Devon's crime profile in December 2025 reveals a marked imbalance between violent and property crimes, with the former dominating by a significant margin. The overall crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents places the area 35.7% below the UK average, a statistic that underscores its relative safety compared to the national picture. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 48.7% of all incidents, far outpacing property crimes which comprised 33.1% (125 out of 378 total crimes). This divergence may be partly explained by the seasonal context of December, a time when the area experiences heightened retail activity, extended dark hours, and increased social gatherings. The dominance of violent crime in the breakdown is consistent with patterns seen in mixed-use urban areas, where nightlife and public spaces generate opportunities for interpersonal conflicts. Meanwhile, property crimes such as burglary and shoplifting remained lower than the UK average, reflecting either effective local policing or the influence of community characteristics that deter such offences. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, holiday celebrations, and the closure of some businesses—likely contributed to the specific distribution of crime types, with violent incidents more prevalent during evenings and public order issues potentially influenced by increased alcohol consumption.

December 2025 saw a stark shift in crime dynamics, with violent crimes accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents (184 out of 378). This dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences are 14% lower. Bicycle theft surged by 300% compared to November, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, a spike potentially linked to increased holiday shopping activity. Meanwhile, shoplifting dropped by 50%, from 36 to 18 cases, possibly reflecting reduced retail footfall during the festive season. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 38.8%, with 30 incidents reported, a decrease that aligns with the seasonal shift towards quieter evenings and holiday closures. The area's performance against the UK average reveals striking disparities: criminal damage and arson are 4% below the national rate, while possession of weapons is 43% above, highlighting unique local challenges that diverge from broader trends.

Mid Devon's crime rate in December 2025 rose by 8.3% compared to November, moving from 4.1 to 4.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a slight uptick in reported incidents despite the area remaining well below the UK average. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of 12 crimes reported each day in December, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity within the local community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 225 residents, a measure that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in a region with a population of 84,993. While the rise in crime rate may prompt concern, the absolute numbers remain consistent with Mid Devon's historical trend of maintaining a safer profile compared to the national average. This monthly exposure metric, when considered alongside the broader demographic context, provides a balanced view of how crime affects individual residents within the district.