North Devon Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate North Devon’s crime profile in October 2025, contributing 42.3% of all reported crimes. This category alone records 262 incidents at a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents, just 2% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. The area’s overall crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 places it 20.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that reflects broader trends in property crime and anti-social behaviour. While anti-social behaviour accounts for 16.5% of all crimes (102 incidents), it remains 21% below the UK average, suggesting a relatively low incidence of disruptive activity. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—may influence patterns, with violence and sexual offences often spiking during periods of reduced visibility and increased social gatherings. The area’s lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (21% below UK), vehicle crime (76% below UK), and drug-related offences (64% below UK) align with North Devon’s character as a rural district with limited urban centres and fewer commercial hubs compared to major cities. However, the rise in criminal damage and arson (+41.5% month-on-month) suggests potential challenges in managing environmental crime, possibly linked to seasonal festivals or unseasonal weather conditions. These findings highlight a combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and broader societal trends that shape crime patterns in this part of the UK.

October 2025 saw a notable 18.0% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 222 to 262 incidents. This upward trend may reflect heightened social activity during Halloween, combined with the impact of darker evenings on visibility and policing effectiveness. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson surged by 41.5% (41 to 58 incidents), a sharp rise that could signal targeted vandalism or arson linked to seasonal events. In contrast, several categories experienced declines: robbery fell by 50.0% (6 to 3 incidents), and bicycle theft dropped by 72.7% (11 to 3), indicating improved security measures or reduced opportunities for theft during the month. Anti-social behaviour, though remaining 21% below the UK average, saw a marginal decrease in frequency, suggesting community efforts or law enforcement interventions may be yielding results. The category of 'other crime' rose sharply by 50.0% (10 to 15 incidents), a figure that deserves closer attention given its ambiguity in the data. These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of crime in North Devon, where specific incidents can influence overall statistics. Residents may find the 100% reduction in theft from the person (from 4 to 0 incidents) particularly reassuring, highlighting potential improvements in personal safety awareness or targeted policing in high-risk areas.

North Devon’s crime rate in October 2025 stood at 6.1 per 1,000 residents, a 2.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.3 per 1,000. This modest decline, while statistically minor, may reflect sustained efforts in community policing or seasonal factors reducing certain types of crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 20 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that provides context for residents assessing local safety. When scaled to the population of 101,222, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 164 residents—a rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic suggests that North Devon’s residents face a lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national average, though localized variations in crime types persist. The contrast between North Devon’s overall rate and the UK average is most pronounced in categories like vehicle crime (76% below UK) and drug-related offences (64% below UK), which align with the area’s rural character and limited urban infrastructure. However, the slight increase in violence and sexual offences, though still below the UK average, indicates that no region is entirely immune to shifts in crime patterns. These comparisons highlight both the strengths and vulnerabilities of North Devon’s crime profile, offering a nuanced view of how local conditions intersect with national trends.