Rural North Devon Crime Rate

Rural North Devon Crime Overview

Rural North Devon is a highly secure area, boasting a safety score of 91/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate is 36.6 per 1,000 residents per year, more than 60% lower than the national average of 93.1. The crime trend is currently stable, showing a 4.7% decrease year-over-year, which indicates a consistent and safe environment for its 18,816 residents. While the area experiences typical rural crime patterns, such as opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour, the overall volume of incidents remains very low. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, temporal patterns, and specific safety advice for those living in the more rural parts of the North Devon district.

Crime Breakdown in Rural North Devon

In Rural North Devon, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 46.1% of all reports (16.9 per 1,000 residents). Other theft follows at 11.8%, with anti-social behaviour accounting for 10.4%.

The overall property crime rate in Rural North Devon is low at 10.6 per 1,000 people. This category includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage. Notably, other theft is a significant factor in the area's crime mix, making up nearly 12% of all reports. Burglary and vehicle crime are both very low, together accounting for less than 6% of all incidents. For residents in these rural communities, the statistics suggest that while the risk of traditional home intrusion is low, opportunistic theft and criminal damage are the primary property-related concerns. The high percentage of personal offences often reflects the low volume of other crime types in rural settings rather than a high frequency of incidents. Property-related risks are most common during the morning and afternoon hours.

Crime Trends in Rural North Devon

The crime trend in Rural North Devon is currently stable, with a 4.7% decrease in total offences over the last 12 months. This indicates that the area's high level of safety is being maintained with a slight improvement in the overall risk environment.

Monthly trendData shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents remained relatively low throughout the year, with a peak of only 4.2 in June and July 2025. Many other months recorded rates below 3.0, with December 2024 seeing as low as 2.0. This shows that criminal activity is rare and sporadic, reinforcing Rural North Devon's reputation as a stable and secure community for its residents. Overall, the area remains one of the safest parts of the region.

How To Keep Safe in Rural North Devon

The most common crime category in Rural North Devon is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.1% of reports. While the overall volume of crime is low, personal safety remains important in more isolated areas.

1. Ensure that your property boundaries are secure and that any outbuildings or sheds are locked with high-quality padlocks, as 'other theft' accounts for 11.8% of local crime.
2. Anti-social behaviour represents 10.4% of reports; use motion-activated lighting around your home and driveway to discourage opportunistic activity.
3. If you are out walking in rural areas after dark, stay on known paths and carry a torch or mobile phone for safety.
4. Vehicle crime risks increase at night (20% of night-time reports); always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area, and never leave tools or valuables in your vehicle overnight.
5. Join a rural crime watch group to stay informed about specific issues like agricultural theft or suspicious vehicles that may be operating in your immediate neighbourhood.

Crime Timing in Rural North Devon

Crime in Rural North Devon follows specific temporal patterns. Morning and afternoon are the peak times for theft-related offences, which account for 60% and 62% of crimes in these periods respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely to occur during daylight hours when residents may be away from their properties.

During the night (12am - 6am), the crime mix shifts significantly. While the overall volume of crime is low, property-related risks become more prominent. Burglary reaches its highest concentration at 22% of all night-time reports, and vehicle crime accounts for 20%. Combined, these two categories make up over 40% of the crime reported in the early morning hours. This data highlights the importance of securing your home and vehicle overnight, even in a very safe rural environment. Understanding these shifts can help residents decide when to be most vigilant about their property's security. Overall, Rural North Devon remains very safe.

Nearby Area Comparison

Rural North Devon offers a stark contrast to the town of Barnstaple, with a crime rate that is significantly lower (36.6 vs 131.5 per 1,000). It is comparable to other rural areas in the South West, providing a much quieter and more secure environment than the nearby urban centres. Residents here benefit from a much lower risk of property crime and public order offences than those in the larger towns, making it a preferred location for those prioritising a secure and quiet lifestyle while remaining within reach of the district's amenities.

Professional Security in Rural North Devon

With a property crime rate of 10.6 per 1,000 residents, Rural North Devon is a low-risk area, but rural properties often face unique security challenges. Isolation can mean that traditional alarms or reactive CCTV go unnoticed by neighbours. In an area where theft and criminal damage are the primary property concerns, a system that detects and deters intruders before they reach the building is essential.

scOS provides a proactive solution using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries in real-time. It is particularly effective for rural homes with larger perimeters. scOS doesn't just record; it identifies genuine threats—such as someone approaching an outbuilding or a vehicle at night—and distinguishes them from local wildlife or routine activity. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like high-intensity lighting and audio warnings. This immediate response is designed to stop a criminal before they act, providing a level of professional protection that is ideal for the more isolated properties found in Rural North Devon.