Mid Devon Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Mid Devon's crime rate in January 2026 was 4.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 39.7% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area's consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends, a pattern that has been evident in prior months. The most prevalent category of crime was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46% of all incidents, with a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents—24% below the UK average for this category. This dominance of violent crime, despite the overall rate being lower than the UK average, may reflect local demographic factors such as the area's mix of urban and rural characteristics, which could influence interpersonal crime dynamics. Other notable categories included other theft (10.4% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (9.5% of total crimes), both of which were significantly below their respective UK averages. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday periods, reduced retail activity, and shorter days—may have contributed to the observed crime patterns, particularly the lower incidence of property-related crimes typical of busier months. The area's geographical profile, as a largely rural district with pockets of urban development, likely plays a role in shaping these trends. For instance, the lower rates of shoplifting and vehicle crime could be attributed to reduced foot traffic and fewer opportunities for such crimes in a rural setting. However, the relatively high proportion of violent crimes compared to property crimes suggests that community interactions and social dynamics in the area may be more influential than geographical factors alone. This combination of local characteristics and broader national trends highlights the importance of context-specific analysis when interpreting crime statistics.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in Mid Devon's crime profile. Theft from the person rose by 100% compared to the previous month, marking a sharp increase in this category. This uptick, though small in absolute terms (from 0 to 1 incident), may reflect seasonal patterns or isolated incidents. Conversely, burglary and criminal damage and arson both declined significantly, with burglary down 47.4% and criminal damage and arson down 22.7%. These decreases align with typical January trends, where reduced outdoor activity and shorter days may curtail certain types of crime. The crime mix also showed a shift, with violent crimes accounting for 46% of total incidents, a proportion consistent with the area's profile. However, anti-social behaviour, while still a notable category, remained 57% below the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community cohesion or effective policing may be at play. Residents may find the 346 total crimes reported in the month, equivalent to 11 per day, a useful benchmark for understanding local crime frequency.

Mid Devon's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, an 8.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.5 per 1,000. This reduction brings the area closer to its historical seasonal norms, which typically see lower crime volumes in January due to post-holiday retail footfall declines and shorter daylight hours. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 11 crimes per day, a figure that, while locally significant, remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 246 residents, a statistic that contextualises the monthly exposure in terms of population size. When considering the area's population of 84,993, the crime rate is lower than the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment relative to the national trend. This comparative advantage is reinforced by the fact that multiple categories, including anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, are significantly below their UK counterparts. These figures suggest that Mid Devon's local governance, community engagement, or geographical characteristics may contribute to its lower crime profile, though further analysis would be required to confirm this hypothesis.