Ilfracombe Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Ilfracombe’s crime profile for March 2023 reveals a combination of local factors and national trends. The overall crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents places the area 11.8% below the UK average, a position that aligns with its character as a small coastal town with a population of 9,873. The most significant category, violence and sexual offences (28 incidents), accounts for 42.4% of total crimes, a proportion that is higher than the UK average for this category (2.7 per 1,000, 2% above). This imbalance may be influenced by the area’s seasonal rhythm, as March marks the transition to spring, with longer evenings and the start of the tourist season potentially contributing to increased social interactions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour (18 incidents, 27.3% of total crimes) is another standout category, being 73% above the UK average. This could be linked to the town’s reliance on tourism, which may bring transient populations and create conditions conducive to such incidents. Conversely, property crimes remain relatively low, with burglary at 0.2 per 1,000 (3.0% of total crimes) and shoplifting at 0.1 per 1,000 (1.5% of total crimes), both significantly below the UK average. These figures suggest that Ilfracombe’s geographic and economic profile—characterised by its coastal setting, limited urban density, and seasonal visitor influx—plays a key role in shaping its crime profile. While the area’s overall safety is evident, the elevated rates in specific categories highlight the need for targeted interventions to address local vulnerabilities.

The crime mix in March 2023 shows a clear dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 42.4% of all reported incidents. This proportion is significantly higher than property crimes (18%), a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns linked to the transition to spring and the lengthening of evenings. Anti-social behaviour, which constitutes 27.3% of total crimes, stands out as the most notable outlier, being 73% above the UK average. This discrepancy could be attributed to the town’s unique social dynamics, such as the influence of tourism and seasonal events that draw larger crowds to public spaces. Meanwhile, public order offences were 38% below the UK average, due to the town’s relatively small population and the absence of large-scale nightlife venues that typically contribute to such incidents. For residents, the daily crime count of two incidents offers a tangible reference point to assess local safety, though the elevated rate of anti-social behaviour underscores the need for targeted community engagement.

Ilfracombe's crime rate for March 2023 (6.7 per 1,000 residents) remains 11.8% below the UK average, a consistent trend that reflects the area’s relatively low exposure to crime. Daily, the area experiences an average of two reported crimes, a figure that aligns with its small population of 9,873 and the character of Ilfracombe as a coastal town with limited urban density. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 150 residents, a rate that is lower than the UK average when scaled to local population size. This monthly exposure context helps residents gauge the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives, though it does not eliminate the need for vigilance in specific categories like anti-social behaviour, which remains significantly above the national average. The low daily crime count may also suggest that the area’s geography, with its proximity to natural landscapes and limited high-density residential zones, contributes to a lower baseline of crime compared to larger urban centres.