Ilfracombe Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 marked a notable shift in Ilfracombe's crime profile, with the overall crime rate standing at 7.6 per 1,000 residents — 8.6% above the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This coastal town, known for its tourism and seasonal retail activity, saw a distinct pattern in its most prevalent crimes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34.7% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.3%) and other theft (12.0%). The seasonal context of December — with its extended evenings, Christmas shopping, and transient population — likely contributes to these figures. While violent crime remained a significant concern, the breakdown also revealed higher-than-average rates for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime were below the UK average, possibly reflecting the town's smaller retail footprint compared to larger urban centres. The data illustrates a combination of local dynamics and broader seasonal influences, with the holiday period potentially amplifying certain types of crime while mitigating others. Ilfracombe's crime picture, though elevated compared to the UK, shows no single category dominating to an extreme degree, suggesting a balanced but persistent challenge in maintaining public safety during peak tourist and holiday periods.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in public order offences, which surged by 133.3% — from three incidents in November to seven in December. This jump, while concerning, may be linked to the festive season's increased social gatherings and the challenges of managing crowds in the town's historic centre. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, fell by 61.5% (26 to 10), a stark contrast that could reflect the impact of targeted policing efforts or the natural decline in incidents during the holiday period when some residents leave the area. Other theft also rose sharply by 80%, with a shift from five to nine incidents, tied to the influx of visitors during the Christmas shopping season. Ilfracombe's rate for other theft (0.9 per 1,000) was 73% above the UK average, highlighting a localised vulnerability. In contrast, burglary and vehicle crime both declined, with burglary dropping by 50% (from two to one incident) — due to homes being unoccupied over the holidays — and vehicle crime falling 19% below the UK average. These divergent trends underscore the need for nuanced strategies that address both the heightened risks of festive crowds and the reduced opportunities for property crimes during the season.

Ilfracombe's crime rate in December 2025 (7.6 per 1,000) represented a 31.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 11.1 per 1,000, marking a significant downward trend. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly two crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly modest, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents during the festive period. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 132 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the town's population of 9,873, illustrates the relative frequency of incidents in a small, densely populated built-up area. This rate is higher than the UK average but aligns with the expectations for a coastal town with a seasonal tourism economy. The comparison to the previous month highlights the volatility of crime patterns in Ilfracombe, where factors such as holiday periods, temporary population shifts, and local policing initiatives can drive dramatic fluctuations. The data also underscores the importance of understanding crime within a local framework: while the overall rate may appear high, the town's unique demographic and geographic characteristics — including its reliance on tourism and the transient nature of its population — likely play a significant role in shaping these figures.