North Devon Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

North Devon's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 23.4% below the UK average of 6.4. This relatively low rate, consistent with the region's rural character and smaller population, highlights a generally safer environment compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.3% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (13.2%) and anti-social behaviour (12.4%). These figures align with patterns seen in areas with a mix of urban and rural settings, where public order issues and retail-related crimes are more prevalent. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced the distribution of crime, with some categories, such as shoplifting, seeing unexpected surges. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the sharp increase in vehicle crime and theft from the person signals a need for vigilance, particularly in areas with higher traffic or public footfall. The data also reveals that certain categories, such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, are significantly below UK averages, suggesting effective local initiatives or natural demographic factors that contribute to this trend. As the area transitions into spring, the interplay between seasonal patterns and ongoing crime trends will be critical to monitor, ensuring that any emerging risks are addressed promptly.

February 2026 saw alarming spikes in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 275%—jumping from four to 15 incidents. This increase, while not uncommon in winter months, raises questions about potential factors such as increased vehicle movements during colder weather or targeted activity in less-patrolled areas. Concurrently, theft from the person rose by 150%, a sharp jump that may reflect heightened public vulnerability during the pre-spring lull, when outdoor activity remains low. Shoplifting also saw a 132.1% increase, climbing from 28 to 65 incidents, a figure that places North Devon 3% above the UK average for this category. These rises contrast with declines in other areas, such as bicycle theft, which fell by 50%, possibly due to reduced outdoor activity during the winter. While violent crime decreased by 10.9%, the overall rate remains 18% below the UK average, a discrepancy that may be attributed to the area's rural character and lower population density.

North Devon's crime rate in February 2026 rose by 12.3% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.3 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, suggests a shift in local patterns that warrant attention. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 18 crimes reported each day in February, a figure that, while lower than the UK average, reflects the specific dynamics of this region. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 206 residents—a rate that, when contextualised against the area's population of 101,222, illustrates the relative safety of North Devon compared to other parts of the country. This monthly exposure figure, however, does not account for the uneven distribution of crime across different neighbourhoods, a nuance that residents and local authorities should consider when planning community initiatives.