Ilfracombe Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 9,873 residents, 44 reported crimes in July 2023 equate to 1 crime for every 224 people, a figure that underscores the area’s consistently low crime profile. At 4.5 per 1,000, Ilfracombe’s overall crime rate is 45.8% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects the town’s character as a coastal resort with limited urban density. The most common crimes—violence and sexual offences (20 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (10 incidents)—suggest patterns tied to the area’s seasonal rhythms. July, a peak month for tourism and festivals, likely contributes to the higher proportion of violent crimes, though the absence of large-scale events or night-time venues may limit such incidents compared to other coastal towns. Property crimes, including other theft (4 incidents) and vehicle crime (2 incidents), remain low, with the latter 58% below the UK average. This may be attributed to Ilfracombe’s compact built-up area, where vehicles are less likely to be targeted than in sprawling urban centres. The seasonal context of July—schools out, festivals, and extended daylight hours—may also explain the lower rate of criminal damage and arson compared to winter months. Overall, the data illustrates a balance between the expected risks of a tourist destination and the mitigating factors of a smaller, tightly-knit community.

July saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with other theft surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents) and vehicle crime doubling (from 1 to 2). These increases may reflect seasonal trends, such as more vehicles on local roads during summer or increased retail activity. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), potentially linked to reduced alcohol-fuelled incidents during peak tourist hours. The area’s violent crime rate (2.0 per 1,000) is 28% below the UK average, a gap that persists despite the month-on-month rise in violent crimes. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.0 per 1,000, is 30% below the UK average, suggesting local community engagement or policing efforts may be effective in mitigating such incidents. Residents may find the 1-in-224 monthly exposure figure particularly useful when assessing personal risk relative to national levels.

In July 2023, Ilfracombe’s crime rate dropped 6.3% from 4.8 to 4.5 per 1,000 residents compared to June, reflecting a continued trend of lower crime relative to the UK average. Daily crime figures show an average of one reported crime per day over the month, a stark contrast to the UK’s much higher daily rates. Monthly exposure calculations place the likelihood of a resident experiencing crime at roughly 1 in 224 over the course of July, a figure that contextualises the area’s relatively low crime profile. This population-scaled perspective highlights that even with 44 total crimes, the impact per individual remains minimal compared to national benchmarks. The decrease aligns with broader patterns in the area, where seasonal factors such as summer tourism and local festivals may have contributed to increased community vigilance or reduced opportunities for crime. However, the absence of a direct UK daily comparison means the local context remains distinct.