North Devon Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

North Devon's crime rate in July 2025 stood at 6.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 19.8% below the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. This performance contrasts sharply with national trends, reflecting a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 40% of all reported crimes, a category where North Devon's rate of 2.7 per 1,000 was 11% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 18%, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000—23% below the UK figure. These patterns may be influenced by North Devon's character as a largely rural district with significant coastal and tourist attractions, where community cohesion and seasonal activity could contribute to lower violent crime rates. Shoplifting, however, showed a small but notable divergence, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000—8% above the UK average. This could align with the area's retail presence during peak summer months, when tourism drives foot traffic to local businesses. The overall crime mix in July leaned heavily toward property-related offences (40% of total crimes), but the violent crime rate remained significantly lower than national benchmarks. Seasonal factors such as extended school holidays and festivals likely amplified certain activities, though the absence of a sharp spike in overall crime suggests sustained efforts in local policing or community engagement. The data also highlights a consistent trend of low vehicle crime, with a rate of 0.1 per 1,000—74% below the UK average, a statistic that may reflect the area's limited urban density and higher levels of rural road safety measures.

July 2025 saw significant shifts in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons surging by 300% (from 3 to 12 incidents) and bicycle theft rising by 150% (from 2 to 5). These increases may be linked to the area's seasonal calendar, where festivals and outdoor events could temporarily elevate opportunities for such offences. Conversely, burglary fell by 52% (from 25 to 12), reflecting improved security measures in residential areas or reduced opportunities during the summer months. Anti-social behaviour also declined by 10%, a drop that could be attributed to increased community policing or the natural dampening effect of summer holidays on certain disruptive activities. Violence and sexual offences—while remaining the most prevalent category—were 11% below the UK average, a discrepancy that may be explained by North Devon's lower population density and the absence of major urban centres that typically correlate with higher violent crime rates. The data also reveals a small but intriguing divergence in shoplifting rates, which were 8% above the UK average. This could indicate a need for targeted interventions in retail areas during peak tourist periods, as the local economy's reliance on tourism may create unique vulnerabilities. For residents, the 150% increase in bicycle theft serves as a specific cautionary note, suggesting that securing bicycles during festivals and events should be a priority.

North Devon's crime rate in July 2025 was 6.9 per 1,000, a slight decline of 1.6% from the previous month's rate of 7.1. This stability underscores the area's consistent performance relative to national trends, with the monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 144 residents. Translating this into daily terms, the area experienced approximately 23 crimes per day in July, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, remains a reminder of the persistent nature of local crime. When compared to the UK average, North Devon's performance is striking: its overall rate is 19.8% lower, and individual categories such as anti-social behaviour (23% below) and vehicle crime (74% below) highlight a broader pattern of lower crime severity. This contrast with the national picture may be attributed to North Devon's rural character, where community networks and lower population density can act as natural deterrents to certain types of crime. However, the area's proximity to coastal and tourist attractions introduces complexities—while these areas may benefit from increased surveillance and community engagement during peak seasons, they also present unique challenges, such as the 8% higher shoplifting rate compared to the UK average. For residents, the monthly exposure statistic offers a tangible perspective: over the course of July, each individual in North Devon had a 1-in-144 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime, a ratio that, while manageable, warrants attention to specific vulnerabilities identified in the data.