Sandford (Mid Devon) Crime Rate

Sandford (Mid Devon) is an urban settlement within the Mid Devon local authority with a population of 1,505. The area is exceptionally safe, boasting an overall crime rate of only 26.6 per 1,000 people per year. This is remarkably lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to a superior safety score of 92/100. Furthermore, the crime trend is significantly improving, with a year-over-year decrease of 18.4%. These statistics highlight Sandford as a very secure and peaceful residential location, where property crime is minimal and the overall risk to residents is substantially lower than in most other parts of the country. Contextually, Sandford represents one of the safest settlements in the region.

Crime Breakdown in Sandford (Mid Devon)

Sandford (Mid Devon) maintains a very low crime profile, with violence and sexual offences being the most recorded category at 47.5% of all incidents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson (15.0%) and public order offences (10.0%). While the percentage for violence may seem high, it is important to note that the actual number of incidents is very low.

Property crime in Sandford is exceptionally minimal, with a rate of just 8.6 per 1,000 residents. This is far below the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. This category includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. Burglary and 'other theft' both account for 7.5% of total crime each, while vehicle crime is statistically very rare at only 2.5%. For residents and homeowners, this indicates a highly secure environment where the risk of property-related crime is very low. The primary concerns for the community are more related to public order and isolated incidents of damage rather than organised theft or residential break-ins. Basic security precautions are generally sufficient for this peaceful settlement.

Crime Trends in Sandford (Mid Devon)

The crime trend in Sandford (Mid Devon) is currently moving in a very positive direction, with a significant year-over-year decrease of 18.4%. This substantial reduction in reported incidents reinforces the area's reputation as a safe and secure place to live.

Monthly data from the past year shows that crime rates in Sandford are consistently low. The rate per 1,000 residents reached a peak of 6.0 in August 2025, followed by 4.0 in both March and July 2025. Many other months saw much lower activity, with December 2024 recording a rate of just 0.7 and February 2025 at 1.3. These fluctuations are very minor in real terms, as a single incident can significantly alter the monthly rate in a small population. For residents, the overall downward trend is a clear indicator that the community remains safe and that criminal activity is not a growing concern. This consistent safety profile makes Sandford one of the most stable settlements in the Mid Devon local authority.

How To Keep Safe in Sandford (Mid Devon)

The most common crime type in Sandford is violence and sexual offences, followed by criminal damage and arson. While the overall crime volume is very low, community awareness and simple precautions help maintain this safe environment.

1. Community Connection: Engage with your neighbours and participate in local village events. A close-knit community is one of the best natural deterrents against anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
2. Secure Outbuildings: Many properties in Sandford have sheds or outbuildings. Ensure these are locked with high-quality padlocks and consider motion-sensor lighting to protect tools and bicycles.
3. Report Unusual Activity: If you notice suspicious behaviour or unfamiliar vehicles loitering in the village, report it to the local police via the 101 non-emergency number to help maintain the area's safety.
4. Home Entry Security: Even in low-crime areas, it is good practice to keep windows and doors locked, especially when you are in the garden or away from the house for short periods.
5. Protect Your Vehicle: Although vehicle crime is rare, always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any items on display that might attract opportunistic attention.

Crime Patterns in Sandford (Mid Devon)

The temporal patterns of crime in Sandford (Mid Devon) are typical of a quiet residential village. Property-related offences, particularly theft, are most frequent during the daylight hours. In the morning, theft accounts for 41% of incidents, and this remains high at 47% during the afternoon. This suggests that opportunistic thefts are most likely to occur when residents are active or away from their homes.

As the day moves into evening and night, the nature of recorded crime changes. Evening and night-time periods are dominated by 'other' crimes, which include criminal damage and public order offences. During the night (12am - 6am), vehicle crime reaches its highest percentage at 21%, though the overall number of incidents remains very small. Burglary also shows a slight uptick during the night hours, accounting for 13% of incidents. Interestingly, violence-related offences are recorded at 0% across all time periods in this specific breakdown, indicating that the local violence statistics are either very low or not concentrated in specific time spikes. For residents, these patterns suggest that daytime vigilance for theft and night-time security for vehicles and property are the most effective strategies.

Sandford (Mid Devon) is a highly secure settlement compared to its local neighbours. It is significantly safer than the nearby town of Crediton, which has a much higher crime rate of 78.7 per 1,000 people. It also outperforms Copplestone, where the rate is 35.7. While very small neighbouring hamlets like Cheriton Fitzpaine and Newton St Cyres report 0.0 crimes, Sandford maintains an excellent safety profile for its size. For residents looking for a balance between village life and a secure environment, Sandford offers a much safer alternative to the larger urban centres in the Mid Devon area.

With a property crime rate of just 8.6 per 1,000 residents, Sandford homeowners live in one of the safest areas in the UK. However, even in such a secure environment, the shift from reactive to proactive security is the best way to maintain that peace of mind. Traditional security cameras like Ring or Nest are reactive; they record a burglary as it happens, which is often too late to prevent loss or trauma.

A proactive AI-powered operating system like scOS changes the dynamic by preventing crime before it occurs. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time, scOS can detect an intruder the moment they step onto your land. Although burglary and vehicle crime are low in Sandford, scOS provides an autonomous response—such as activating deterrent lighting or speakers—that stops a threat before it reaches your home. Its ability to learn your family's routines and verify vehicle plates ensures you are never bothered by false alarms, only real threats. For Sandford residents, scOS offers professional-grade protection that keeps a safe home exactly that way.