South Molton Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

South Molton's crime rate in January 2025 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 42.3% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, though modest in absolute terms, reflects the area's broader pattern of maintaining lower crime rates compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 60% of all incidents and were 4% below the UK average for this category. This suggests that while violent crime is a persistent concern, South Molton's rate is relatively contained compared to the rest of the country. Property crimes, though fewer in number (16% of total incidents), were also 61-68% below the UK average for categories such as criminal damage, vehicle crime, and shoplifting. Seasonal factors likely influenced these patterns, as January's post-holiday environment typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to fewer outdoor crimes but could also create opportunities for targeted theft in high-traffic areas. The area's character as a built-up part of North Devon—likely featuring a mix of residential and commercial spaces—may explain the balance between violent and property crime, with the latter being less common but not absent. This dynamic underscores the need for community awareness, particularly as certain categories saw sharp month-on-month increases that may require further attention.

January 2025 marked notable spikes in specific crime categories, with shoplifting, other crime, and public order offences each rising by 100% compared to December 2024. This surge in shoplifting, though small in absolute terms (from 0 to 1 incident), may reflect the post-holiday period's impact on retail environments, where reduced footfall and shorter days could create opportunities for opportunistic theft. Concurrently, 'other crime' and 'public order' offences both doubled, suggesting a shift in criminal activity that may warrant closer scrutiny. While violent crimes remained the dominant category, accounting for 60% of all incidents, they were 4% below the UK average for this category. This contrast highlights South Molton's unique profile, where property crimes are relatively rare (just 16% of total incidents) but violent crime remains a focal point. Residents are advised to remain vigilant in areas where these increases occurred, particularly during late hours when visibility is reduced.

South Molton's crime rate in January 2025 fell to 4.1 per 1,000 residents, a 7.5% decrease from the previous month's 4.4 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the area's broader trend of maintaining a crime rate significantly below the UK average, which stands at 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a low but consistent level of criminal activity. When scaled to the population of 6,136, this means that over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 245 residents. This monthly exposure figure underscores the relatively low risk residents face compared to the UK average, though it highlights the need for continued vigilance in areas where specific crime types have risen. The population context further illustrates that South Molton's crime profile is shaped by its smaller, tightly knit community structure, which may contribute to lower overall rates despite the spikes in certain categories.