South Molton Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2023, South Molton’s crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents positioned it 65% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure, while modest, reflects the area’s character as a small built-up zone within North Devon, where crime is likely shaped by seasonal rhythms and localized factors. The crime profile was split evenly between property and violent crimes, with 6 incidents each. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category (35.3% of total crimes), remained 63% below the UK average, a trend consistent with smaller communities where such crimes are less frequent. Anti-social behaviour accounted for 29.4% of reported crimes, also significantly below the UK rate, suggesting that community engagement or policing efforts may be mitigating disturbances. Other theft, though a minor category (23.5% of total), saw a sharp rise compared to previous months, though it remained 13% above the UK average for this category. Seasonal context—darker evenings, Halloween, and the clocks going back—may have influenced both the timing and nature of incidents from the data. The low burglary and shoplifting rates (both 41% and 66% below UK averages) hint at a lower density of retail or residential targets, due to the area’s rural-adjacent setting. While the balance between property and violent crimes appears stable, the sharp increase in other theft warrants further observation to determine whether it reflects a transient pattern or a more sustained shift in criminal activity.

October saw a 300% increase in other theft, rising from 1 to 4 incidents—a significant shift that may reflect seasonal trends or targeted activity. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 33.3% compared to September, with 6 incidents reported, a rate 63% below the UK average. The balance between property and violent crimes remained nearly equal, with both categories accounting for 6 of the 17 total crimes. This parity contrasts with the UK profile, where violent crimes typically outnumber property crimes. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 16.7%, though it remains 38% below the UK average, suggesting ongoing community efforts to address disturbances. Burglary and shoplifting—both property crimes—were 41% and 66% below UK averages, respectively, indicating a low incidence of opportunistic theft in this area.

South Molton’s October 2023 crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents marked a 31.9% decrease from the previous month’s 4.1 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns in smaller built-up areas, where activity may slow during autumn as tourism and retail footfall wane. Daily crime figures show an average of one reported crime per day in October, a rate that, while low, reflects the area’s small population of 6,136. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 361 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this part of North Devon. Compared to the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, South Molton’s rate is 65% below, a gap consistent with rural and semi-rural areas where crime is often concentrated in specific hotspots rather than spread across a larger population base. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even minor fluctuations in crime numbers can have outsized impacts on perceived safety in smaller communities.