Ilfracombe Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Ilfracombe during November 2025 reveals a marked imbalance between violent and property crime, with violent offences dominating the landscape. At 11.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area's overall crime rate sits 52.1% above the UK average of 7.3 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.6% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (23.6%) and criminal damage and arson (14.6%). This stark contrast to the national picture may reflect Ilfracombe's coastal location and seasonal dynamics, where Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping periods could contribute to spikes in anti-social behaviour and property damage. Shoplifting rates in the area remained slightly below the UK average, a pattern consistent with smaller retail centres that may have fewer opportunities for such crimes. The dominance of violent crime, however, stands out; while the UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, Ilfracombe recorded 3.8 per 1,000, a 48% disparity. This could indicate factors specific to the area, such as increased community interactions during tourist seasons or localized tensions exacerbated by seasonal events. The high prevalence of anti-social behaviour, 145% above the UK average, may be linked to the area's transient population and the social dynamics of a small coastal town, where unregulated gatherings during festivals could amplify such incidents. These patterns underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the immediate impacts of seasonal events and the underlying social factors contributing to crime rates.

November 2025 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations in specific crime categories, with 'other crime' surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents), a jump that may reflect unclassified or emerging criminal activities. Criminal damage and arson also rose sharply, increasing by 128.6% to 16 incidents, a figure 202% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This could be linked to Bonfire Night celebrations, which often involve pyrotechnic displays and associated risks. Conversely, burglary decreased by 33.3% (from 3 to 2 incidents), aligning with the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. This decline might be attributed to seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic in residential areas during the darker evenings of November. Public order offences also fell by 25%, from 4 to 3, due to increased policing efforts around major events. The crime mix in Ilfracombe remains heavily skewed towards violent and anti-social crimes, with violence and sexual offences alone comprising over a third of all incidents. This imbalance is 48% above the UK average and may indicate a need for community-focused initiatives to address root causes of interpersonal conflict. Shoplifting rates in the area were 5% below the UK average, a minor but consistent deviation that could reflect the smaller scale of retail operations in Ilfracombe compared to larger urban centres.

Ilfracombe's crime rate in November 2025 rose by 14.6% compared to the previous month's rate of 9.7 per 1,000, marking a notable upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 4 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in a relatively small community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 90 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualized against the population of 9,873, highlights the proportion of the population directly affected by crime. This rate is particularly significant when compared to the UK average, where the equivalent exposure would be lower given the national population. The sharp increase in 'other crime' by 300% and the 128.6% rise in criminal damage and arson suggest that the area's unique characteristics—such as its coastal setting and seasonal events—play a role in shaping its crime profile. These trends may also reflect the challenges of managing public safety in a tourist destination during peak seasonal periods. The comparison with the UK average further illustrates the need for localized strategies, as Ilfracombe's crime mix diverges from national patterns, requiring tailored approaches that address the specific dynamics of this built-up area within North Devon.