South Molton Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,136 residents, South Molton reported 17 crimes in March 2023—a rate of 2.8 per 1,000 people, 63.2% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This stark contrast reflects the area’s relatively low exposure to crime, which is consistent with its character as a small built-up area within rural North Devon. The crime profile reveals a distinct pattern: 47.1% of all incidents were violence and sexual offences, far outpacing other categories. Anti-social behaviour followed at 17.7%, with criminal damage and arson accounting for 11.8%. These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal conflicts and minor disturbances, rather than property-related crimes. Seasonal factors may play a role, as March marks the transition to spring, with evenings lengthening and clocks moving forward. This shift could influence social activity patterns, increasing opportunities for face-to-face interactions that might lead to disputes or anti-social behaviour. However, the overall low volume of crimes—particularly given the area’s size—indicates that South Molton remains a place where community cohesion and rural isolation may contribute to lower reported incidents. The absence of significant property crime, such as burglary or vehicle theft, further underscores the area’s limited exposure to such risks compared to more densely populated or urban centres.

March 2023’s crime mix shows a marked emphasis on violent offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 8 incidents—53% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This category’s dominance over property crime (5 total) suggests a different dynamic than in larger urban areas, where property-related incidents often dominate. Anti-social behaviour, at 3 reports, was also 52% below the UK average, reflecting a broader pattern of underreporting or lower incidence in this part of Devon. Shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary all fell significantly below national rates, with shoplifting at 59% below the UK average. This aligns with the area’s likely limited retail presence and lower foot traffic compared to commercial hubs. For residents, the most concrete takeaway is the low absolute number of crimes: 17 incidents across 6,136 residents translates to a 1-in-361 chance of being directly affected during the month. This figure, while statistically small, highlights the area’s overall safety profile, even as the proportion of violent crimes remains a point of focus for local authorities.

Over the course of March 2023, South Molton saw 17 crimes reported—roughly 1 incident per day. This daily frequency, when scaled to the area’s population of 6,136, equates to a monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 361 residents. To contextualise this, if the UK average of 7.6 crimes per 1,000 residents were applied to South Molton’s population, the equivalent would be 47 crimes in the same period. The disparity underscores the area’s unique position as a low-crime locale, where factors such as rural isolation, smaller community networks, and limited commercial activity likely contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. The monthly exposure figure, while seemingly low, is a useful metric for residents to gauge risk: for someone living in South Molton, the chance of being directly involved in a reported crime during the month was approximately 0.26% (1/361). This is significantly lower than the UK average, which would translate to a 0.76% chance of involvement per resident. The comparison also highlights the importance of local context—whereas larger urban areas may see higher absolute numbers due to greater population density, South Molton’s smaller size naturally limits the scale of reported incidents, even as the proportion of violent crimes remains a notable feature.