South Molton Crime Rate

South Molton, within North Devon, exhibits a crime rate of 71.4 incidents per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. While this remains below the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, it represents a significant increase, with crime escalating by 30.0% year-on-year. This upward trend warrants careful consideration and proactive measures to ensure community safety. The area’s safety score stands at 82/100, reflecting a generally positive perception of safety, although the rising crime rate indicates an emerging challenge. Understanding the types of crimes occurring and their distribution is crucial for residents and local authorities alike.

The crime landscape in South Molton reveals a concerning pattern. Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant threat, accounting for 46.4% of all recorded crimes (203 incidents). This category is followed by anti-social behaviour (14.8%, 65 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (9.1%, 40 incidents). Property crime, in general, is a concern, with a rate of 19.7 per 1,000 residents. While this is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, the specific types of crime occurring demand attention. Shoplifting is present, but at a lower rate (4.3 per 1,000), while burglary remains a concern (2.4 per 1,000). Vehicle crime, although relatively low (1.8 per 1,000), also contributes to the overall crime picture. Understanding these statistics is vital for residents and local authorities alike.

The escalating crime rate in South Molton is a significant concern. From January 2025 to December 2025, crime has increased by 30.0% year-on-year. Monthly data reveals a fluctuating pattern, with peaks in June (8.0 per 1,000) and October (7.3 per 1,000). While there were dips in September (5.7 per 1,000) and November (5.1 per 1,000), the overall trend remains upward. For example, January 2025 saw a rate of 4.1 per 1,000, compared to 6.0 per 1,000 in December 2025. This consistent rise highlights the need for urgent action to address the underlying causes of crime and protect the community.

How To Keep Safe in South Molton

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences in South Molton, it's crucial to remain vigilant in public spaces. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas. With anti-social behaviour also a concern, report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Secure your property thoroughly – ensure doors and windows are locked, and consider installing security lighting. Finally, be mindful of your belongings when out shopping, as shoplifting incidents do occur.

Crimes in South Molton exhibit distinct time patterns. During the morning (6am-12pm), burglary is most prevalent, accounting for 11% of incidents, while theft accounts for 43%. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain the dominant crime type (44%), with burglary at 18%. The evening (6pm-12am) is characterised by a shift, with theft (17%) and violence becoming more prominent. Finally, overnight (12am-6am), burglaries rise to 22% while vehicle crime represents 23%, indicating a potential vulnerability during these hours. These patterns underscore the need for targeted preventative measures at different times of the day.

Compared to neighbouring areas like Hill, North Molton, East Buckland, and Swimbridge, South Molton's crime rate is notably higher. These surrounding areas all report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, highlighting a disparity in crime levels and suggesting potential contributing factors specific to South Molton. This difference underscores the importance of targeted interventions and community-led initiatives to address the root causes of crime within South Molton.

Traditional CCTV systems often record footage after a crime has occurred, offering little in the way of prevention. If you're looking for real protection in South Molton, consider a system that proactively deters crime. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, detects threats at your property boundary, before they escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, instantly verifying vehicle plates with the DVLA, and learns your family’s routines to distinguish genuine threats from normal activity. The visible presence of scOS, with its professional-grade equipment and autonomous response capabilities – lights activating, speakers engaging – creates a powerful deterrent that many burglars simply won’t risk. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats before they happen is another.