South Molton Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in South Molton during July 2023 reveals a distinct profile compared to the UK average, shaped by the area’s character as a small built-up town within North Devon. With a total crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents—72.3% below the UK average of 8.3—the area demonstrates a consistently low level of criminal activity. The breakdown of crimes shows a clear dominance of violent offences, which accounted for 50% of the total (7 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (21.4%) and other theft (14.3%). This violent-crime-heavy profile contrasts with the UK average, where violent offences make up 60% of total crimes, suggesting a different dynamic in South Molton. The lower proportion of property crimes, such as vehicle theft (7.1%) and other theft (14.3%), may reflect the area’s smaller population and limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres. Seasonal factors in July—peak summer, school holidays, and tourism—could influence crime patterns, though the area’s overall low rates indicate that these factors have not led to a surge in incidents. The dominance of violence and sexual offences, despite being 60% below the UK average, may relate to local community dynamics, with smaller populations sometimes experiencing more concentrated incidents. However, the absence of significant spikes in property crime during a period of high foot traffic and events suggests that local measures, such as community policing or event management, may contribute to maintaining safety. This profile illustrates a town where violent crime remains a concern but is far below national levels, with property crime being relatively rare due to the area’s size and characteristics.

The most significant month-on-month shift occurred in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 53.3% from 15 incidents in the previous month to 7 in July. This drop, despite July being a peak season for tourism and festivals, suggests effective local measures or natural fluctuations in criminal activity. The crime mix in South Molton contrasts sharply with the UK average: violent crimes (50% of total) dominate over property crimes (21.4% anti-social behaviour, 14.3% other theft). Violence and sexual offences in the area remain 60% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour is 65% below the UK rate of 1.4 per 1,000. The sole category exceeding the UK average is 'other crime' at 43% above, though this category only accounts for 7.1% of total incidents. For residents, the 53.3% reduction in violent crime offers a tangible reassurance, particularly during summer events when public spaces see increased use.

South Molton's crime rate in July 2023 dropped 41.7% from 3.9 to 2.3 per 1,000 residents compared to the previous month, reflecting a sustained decline in reported incidents. Over the course of the month, 14 crimes were recorded across a population of 6,136, equating to roughly one reported crime for every 438 residents. This monthly exposure rate underscores the rarity of crime in the area, with residents facing a 1-in-438 chance of being directly affected by a crime during the month. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 0 crimes per day, a figure that highlights the low frequency of incidents even during peak summer activity. While the UK average sees 8.3 crimes per 1,000 residents monthly, South Molton’s population-scaled crime rate remains 72.3% below this benchmark, suggesting a community with consistently lower criminal activity. The absence of significant spikes in property crimes—such as vehicle theft or burglary—further supports the notion of a relatively stable environment, even during periods of increased tourism and outdoor events.