South Molton Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Molton’s crime rate in November 2023 stood at 2.3 per 1,000 residents, a figure 69.3% below the UK average of 7.5. This stark contrast underscores the area’s status as a low-crime built-up zone within North Devon, where community cohesion and limited urban density likely contribute to the trend. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, accounting for 57.1% of incidents, yet this category remains 50% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour followed at 21.4% of total crimes, also significantly below national benchmarks. Seasonal factors may have played a role: Bonfire Night and Black Friday, both occurring in November, could have influenced patterns of public order and retail-related crime. Possession of weapons—only one incident—surpassed the UK average by 233%, an outlier that may reflect isolated incidents rather than systemic trends. The low volume of property crimes (2 incidents) further reinforces the area’s profile as one where violent and anti-social offences, rather than theft or burglary, dominate the crime profile. This pattern is consistent with South Molton’s character as a small, semi-rural community with limited commercial hubs, where social interactions and community policing may mitigate more severe criminal activity. While direct links between these factors, the combination of low population density, seasonal events, and targeted policing likely contributes to the area’s comparatively safe environment.

November 2023 saw a 33.3% rise in violence and sexual offences, increasing from 6 to 8 incidents. This category remains 50% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), suggesting local factors may moderate broader trends. Meanwhile, possession of weapons—though only one incident—surpassed the UK average by 233%, a stark outlier in an otherwise low-crime area. Anti-social behaviour fell by 40%, from 5 to 3 incidents, while other theft dropped 75% (4 to 1). These shifts reflect a combination of seasonal dynamics, including Bonfire Night and Black Friday, which may have influenced both public order and retail-related crime. For residents, the near-zero daily crime rate (0 per day) offers a tangible reassurance, though the spike in weapon possession highlights the need for vigilance in specific contexts.

South Molton’s crime rate in November 2023 dropped by 17.7% compared to the previous month, falling from 2.8 to 2.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as November typically sees reduced foot traffic in retail areas and fewer events than peak tourist months. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 0 crimes per day over the 30-day period, a figure that underscores the low baseline of criminal activity in this built-up area. When scaled to the population of 6,136, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 438 residents—a statistic that, while seemingly low, highlights the sporadic nature of incidents in a relatively small community. This context is critical for residents: while the overall rate remains well below national averages, the sharp increase in possession of weapons—233% above the UK average—suggests a specific, albeit isolated, trend that warrants attention without overgeneralisation.