Bittaford Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Bittaford, within South Hams, reveal a crime rate of 41.0 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating a generally safer environment. However, a closer examination reveals a nuanced picture, with violence and sexual offences being the most prevalent crime type. While overall crime has been decreasing, understanding the specific trends and types of incidents is crucial for residents. This report aims to provide a clear overview of the situation and offer practical advice for staying safe.

Bittaford, within South Hams, recorded 55 instances of violence and sexual offences between January 2025 and December 2025, representing 53.9% of reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour accounted for 18 incidents, while other theft comprised 11 cases. Further contributing to the crime statistics were 9 instances of criminal damage and arson, 4 burglaries, and 4 further incidents categorized as ‘other’ crime. Notably, property crime overall stands at a rate of 9.6 per 1,000 residents. The relatively lower number of burglaries (4 incidents) compared to violence and sexual offences suggests that while property is not the primary concern, it remains a factor in overall community safety. The presence of a relatively small population (2485) means that even a few incidents can significantly impact the per capita crime rate. The blend of rural and residential characteristics within Bittaford likely contributes to the varied types of crime experienced.

Crime in Bittaford has demonstrated a significant decrease of -29.2% year-on-year. Looking at the monthly data, the crime rate began the period at 4.4 per 1,000 in January 2025, steadily declining to 2.0 per 1,000 in March. A slight increase was observed in July (6.4 per 1,000) before a sharp reduction, culminating in a low of 1.2 per 1,000 in December 2025. This downward trend suggests a positive shift in community safety, although consistent vigilance remains important.

How To Keep Safe in Bittaford

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be mindful of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Secure your property by ensuring doors and windows are locked, and consider installing security lighting. Be cautious when interacting with strangers, and trust your instincts. Finally, participate in local community watch schemes to enhance neighbourhood vigilance and build a stronger sense of security.

Crimes in Bittaford tend to be distributed throughout the day, with a slight increase in incidents during the afternoon and evening hours. Burglary has a notable spike during the night (12am-6am), accounting for 27% of such crimes. Violence and sexual offences are more frequently reported during the evening (6pm-12am), particularly on weekends. Theft also tends to peak during commercial hours (9am-5pm). While these patterns provide some insight, it's important to remember that crime can occur at any time, and vigilance is always recommended.

Compared to neighbouring areas, Bittaford’s crime rate sits between Ivybridge (52.0 per 1,000) and South Brent (62.6 per 1,000), but significantly lower than Ermington (0.0 per 1,000) and Modbury (27.7 per 1,000). This indicates that while Bittaford is generally safer than some nearby communities, vigilance remains important. The varying crime rates across these areas highlight the localised nature of crime and the importance of understanding specific community characteristics.

Traditional CCTV systems provide recordings after an incident has occurred. For genuine peace of mind, consider a proactive approach like scOS. scOS utilises AI to learn your property’s routines and identify threats at the boundary – preventing burglaries before they happen. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all angles simultaneously, instantly verifying vehicle plates with the DVLA, and proactively engaging lights and speakers to deter potential intruders. Unlike DIY systems that alert you after an incident, scOS intervenes in real-time, exploiting the burglar's 60-second decision window. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade security provides a significantly higher level of protection, particularly in an area like Bittaford where, while relatively safe, crime does occur.