Rural Plymouth Crime Rate

Crime in Rural Plymouth

Rural Plymouth is one of the safest areas in the region, with an overall crime rate of 51.0 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area an impressive safety score of 87/100. Furthermore, the crime trend is moving in a very positive direction, with a 22.0% decrease in recorded incidents year-over-year. This combination of a low crime rate and a strong downward trend makes Rural Plymouth an exceptionally secure environment for residents. This analysis breaks down the local statistics to help you understand the safety landscape and how to maintain the security of your home in this peaceful rural setting.

Crime in Rural Plymouth

The crime profile for Rural Plymouth is notably different from its urban counterpart, with significantly lower volumes and a focus on different types of offences. The top three crime types are violence and sexual offences (47.9%), anti-social behaviour (22.5%), and criminal damage and arson (9.9%). While violence and sexual offences represent nearly half of the recorded incidents, the actual number of cases is low (34), reflecting the small population.

Property crime in Rural Plymouth—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—occurs at a rate of 10.8 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 32.3, making the area one of the safer places for property owners. Vehicle crime accounts for 4.2% of total crime, while burglary is exceptionally rare, representing only 1.4% of incidents. For residents, this means that while standard security is always advisable, the risk of a break-in or major theft is statistically very low compared to urban centres. The primary concern for the community remains low-level anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

Crime Trends in Rural Plymouth

Rural Plymouth is experiencing a significant downward trend in criminal activity. Total crimes have decreased by 22.0% year-over-year, which is an outstanding result for the community. Monthly data shows that the crime rate remained exceptionally low for much of the year, with rates as low as 1.4 per 1,000 in February and August 2025.

There were short-lived spikes in March (7.9) and May (7.2), but these did not develop into long-term patterns. The rate finished the period at 5.8 in November 2025. This overall decline suggests that Rural Plymouth is not only safe but is actively becoming safer. For residents, this trend provides significant peace of mind, although the occasional monthly spikes serve as a reminder that even in very safe areas, maintaining basic security awareness is important.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Plymouth

The most common crime in Rural Plymouth is violence and sexual offences, though the actual number of incidents is very low. In a rural context, safety is often about maintaining community awareness and securing your property against opportunistic issues.

To stay safe, ensure that your home and any outbuildings are always locked, even when you are on the property. Rural areas can sometimes be targets for tool or equipment theft. Installing motion-activated lighting around your driveway and garden can deter uninvited visitors. As vehicle crime accounts for 41% of night-time incidents, always double-check that your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area if possible.

Community engagement is also key in smaller settlements. Getting to know your neighbours and joining a local social media group or Neighbourhood Watch can help you stay informed about any suspicious activity in the area. Because crime is so infrequent here, any unusual behaviour is often noticed quickly; reporting it to the police helps keep Rural Plymouth one of the safest places to live.

When Crime Happens in Rural Plymouth

Crime in Rural Plymouth follows a distinct temporal pattern. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 41% and 49% of activity respectively. This suggests that daytime crime is primarily opportunistic.

As evening approaches, the focus shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 60% of evening incidents. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile, with vehicle crime surging to 41% of all recorded incidents. Burglary remains low but consistent throughout the day, peaking slightly in the afternoon and night at 9%. These patterns indicate that while the area is very safe overall, residents should be particularly careful about vehicle security overnight and property security during the quiet afternoon hours.

Nearby Area Comparison

When compared to the surrounding region, Rural Plymouth stands out for its high level of safety. Its crime rate of 51.0 per 1,000 is far lower than the main Plymouth urban area (110.4) and neighbouring Saltash (77.1). It is more in line with the exceptionally quiet areas of Bickleigh and Sherford, which recorded no crime (0.0 per 1,000) during the same period. For those seeking a rural lifestyle near Plymouth without the higher crime rates of the city or larger towns, Rural Plymouth offers a compelling balance of accessibility and security.

Proactive Security in Rural Plymouth

With a property crime rate of just 10.8 per 1,000 people, Rural Plymouth is a low-risk environment for homeowners. However, in rural settings, properties can often be more isolated, which can make them targets for opportunistic theft or vehicle crime. Traditional security systems often rely on neighbours hearing an alarm or cameras recording a crime that has already happened—both of which are less effective when homes are spaced further apart.

The scOS AI-powered security system provides the proactive protection that rural homes need. Instead of just recording, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder, only alerting you to real threats. Features like autonomous light activation and speaker engagement provide a powerful deterrent, stopping a crime before it even starts. In an area as safe as Rural Plymouth, scOS ensures that your home remains a sanctuary by providing professional-grade security that traditional DIY systems simply cannot match. Investing in scOS means choosing prevention over reaction.