Ilfracombe Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Ilfracombe's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 4.7 per 1,000 residents, a figure 41.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This performance positions the area as one of the safest in the country, with violent crime accounting for 47.8% of all incidents (22 cases) and remaining 19% below the national average for that category. The town's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which, despite being the most frequently reported category, reflect a rate significantly lower than the UK norm. This contrast is reinforced by the area's seasonal context—October, with its shorter daylight hours and the timing of Halloween, may have influenced community activity and crime patterns. The breakdown of crimes reveals a combination of local factors and broader national trends: while shoplifting and anti-social behaviour declined sharply, other crime types such as drugs and vehicle crime saw notable increases. These fluctuations are consistent with the area's coastal character, where tourism-related activity may drive certain types of crime during specific periods, while the relatively small population and geographic isolation may suppress others. The low overall rate, combined with the prominence of violent crime, suggests a need for targeted interventions that address both the unique challenges of the built-up area and the broader socio-economic dynamics of North Devon. The data also highlights the importance of seasonal analysis, as the transition from summer to autumn may have altered the frequency and nature of incidents. For residents, these figures underscore the relative safety of Ilfracombe compared to the UK average, though the increases in certain categories warrant ongoing monitoring to ensure sustained improvements.

October 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with 'other crime', drugs, and vehicle crime each more than doubling compared to September. 'Other crime' rose by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents), while drug-related incidents and vehicle crime both doubled (from 1 to 2 and 0 to 4, respectively). These increases, though small in absolute terms, suggest potential shifts in local patterns or the emergence of new challenges. Conversely, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour declined sharply—shoplifting fell by 75% (from 8 to 2 cases) and anti-social behaviour dropped by 68.2% (from 22 to 7 incidents). These decreases may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the end of the summer tourist season and the timing of Halloween, which could have influenced community activity and policing priorities. Violence and sexual offences remained 19% below the UK average (2.2 per 1,000 vs 2.7 per 1,000), while 'other crime' exceeded the UK rate by 114%. These divergences highlight the area's unique crime profile and the need for tailored analysis of emerging trends.

Ilfracombe's October 2023 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents reflects a 34.3% reduction from the previous month's rate of 7.1 per 1,000, underscoring a consistent downward trend in local crime. This decline, while notable, must be contextualised within the area's demographic and geographic profile. As a coastal town with a population of 9,873, Ilfracombe's crime dynamics are shaped by seasonal patterns, tourism cycles, and the relatively small scale of its built-up area. Over the 31-day period, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day, a figure that, when scaled to the population, equates to one crime for every 215 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure metric highlights the area's relatively low crime frequency compared to the UK average. The population context further reveals that Ilfracombe's crime profile is influenced by its unique characteristics, including its proximity to natural landscapes, which may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime, and its seasonal rhythms, such as the transition to darker evenings in October. These factors, combined with the town's smaller size, contribute to a crime environment distinct from larger urban centres.