South Molton Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Molton’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 1.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 80% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area’s relatively low crime profile, consistent with its status as a rural built-up area within North Devon. The most prevalent offences were anti-social behaviour (3 incidents, 30% of total crimes), followed by drugs-related issues (2 incidents, 20%) and a single incident each of violence, burglary, other theft, public order, and shoplifting. Seasonal factors in May—such as bank holidays and extended daylight hours—may have influenced patterns of outdoor socialising, which could contribute to anti-social behaviour incidents. While the overall crime rate remains exceptionally low, the breakdown shows a slight diversification of crime types compared to previous months, with drugs-related offences emerging as a notable category. The area’s small population and limited urban density likely reduce opportunities for certain crimes, though targeted local factors such as community events or transient populations could play a role in specific categories like drug-related activity. This data reinforces the importance of contextualising crime trends within the area’s unique geographical and demographic characteristics.

May 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with burglary, drugs-related offences, and other theft all increasing by 100% compared to April. This contrasts with a 75% reduction in violence and sexual offences, which dropped from four to one incident. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 25%, though it remained the most common category, significantly below the UK average (62% lower). The drugs category, however, exceeded the UK average by 43%, suggesting a localised challenge that diverges from national trends. The balance between property and violent crimes also shifted: while property crimes (burglary, shoplifting, other theft) accounted for 60% of incidents, violent crimes fell to 10%, reflecting a broader trend towards non-violent offences. These changes may relate to seasonal factors, such as increased social activity during longer evenings, or specific local dynamics affecting drug-related activity. Residents may find the 100% increase in burglary particularly relevant, as it indicates a new risk in an area historically marked by low crime rates.

South Molton’s crime rate in May 2023 rose slightly to 1.6 per 1,000 residents, a 10.9% increase from April’s 1.5 per 1,000. This small upward trend occurs against a backdrop of extreme underperformance relative to the UK average, where 1.6 per 1,000 is 80% below the national figure. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 0 crimes per day in May—a figure that, while statistically precise, underscores the rarity of criminal incidents in this small community. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 614 residents, a rate that, when scaled to the area’s population of 6,136, illustrates the minimal risk faced by individuals. This context is crucial for residents and local authorities: while the overall trend is negligible, the absolute numbers remain so low that even a 10.9% increase is unlikely to impact daily life significantly. The comparison to the UK average further highlights South Molton’s unique position as an outlier in the national crime profile, where its rural character and small population size likely play a major role in sustaining such a low rate.