Mid Devon Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Mid Devon recorded a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents in February 2026, placing it 26.6% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance, while modest in absolute terms, reflects a consistent pattern of lower-than-average crime across multiple categories. Violence and sexual offences dominated the monthly tally, accounting for 46.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.1%) and criminal damage and arson (9.8%). These figures align with the area’s character as a largely rural district with limited high-density urban zones, where property crimes and violent incidents tend to cluster in specific pockets. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely contributes to the lower overall crime rate compared to busier periods. While violent crime remains the most prevalent category, its rate of 2.2 per 1,000 is 5% below the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies may play a role. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average by 34%, saw a notable increase in February, raising questions about how seasonal shifts in social dynamics might influence such offences. The data also highlights a stark contrast between Mid Devon and the national average for theft-related crimes, with shoplifting (31% below UK levels) and burglary (60% below) far outperforming expectations for a region with a mix of rural and coastal communities. These trends underscore the importance of contextualising crime statistics within both geographic and temporal frameworks, rather than drawing broad conclusions from isolated figures.

February 2026 saw significant reductions in several crime categories, with bicycle theft falling by 50% compared to January (from 2 to 1 incidents) and possession of weapons decreasing by 33.3% (from 9 to 6). These declines may reflect the seasonal lull typical of winter months, when outdoor activities and public gatherings diminish. Conversely, shoplifting surged by 114.3% (14 to 30 incidents), a sharp increase that contrasts with the overall downward trend in theft-related crimes. This anomaly could signal shifts in retail patterns, such as increased online shopping reducing in-store theft, or alternative factors influencing offender behaviour. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 45.5% (33 to 48 incidents), a figure that, while still 34% below the UK average, warrants closer examination given its potential impact on community safety. The breakdown of crime types reveals a marked divergence from national trends: while violent crime (2.2 per 1,000) remains the most common category, it is 5% below the UK average, and property crimes collectively account for 32.4% of all incidents—well below the national proportion. Theft from the person, bicycle theft, and robbery all fell to zero incidents in February, a stark contrast to their UK averages. For residents, the 50% drop in bicycle theft offers a tangible example of how targeted measures or seasonal factors can influence crime outcomes, even in the face of broader increases in other categories.

Mid Devon’s crime rate in February 2026 rose by 15.0% compared to January’s 4.1 per 1,000, yet remains significantly below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 1 crime was reported for every 214 residents, a figure that places the area in the lower quartile of UK local authority districts. Daily crime statistics show an average of 14 reported incidents per day, a rate that, while slightly higher than January’s 13.5, still falls well below the national average. The population-scaled perspective reinforces Mid Devon’s status as a relatively safe area: with 84,993 residents, the 398 total crimes represent a manageable burden compared to the UK’s higher rates. This comparison is further underscored by the fact that several crime categories—such as anti-social behaviour (34% below UK levels) and shoplifting (31% below)—continue to perform exceptionally well, even as others like public order offences (27% below UK average) show modest improvements. The 15% monthly increase, though notable, is tempered by the broader context of Mid Devon’s long-term performance, which consistently outpaces national averages in key areas. For residents, the 50% reduction in bicycle theft and the 60% decline in burglary compared to UK levels highlight the effectiveness of local initiatives or environmental factors in deterring crime, even as other categories fluctuate. These figures suggest that while February’s crime rate is not the lowest on record, the area’s overall safety profile remains resilient against national trends.