Ivybridge Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ivybridge's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 4.5 per 1,000, placing it 46.4% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This performance aligns with the area's character as a relatively low-density built-up zone within the rural South Hams, where crime rates are typically lower than in major urban centres. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.7% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.9%) and shoplifting (17.0%), reflecting patterns common in small towns where interpersonal disputes and retail theft dominate. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays and extended daylight hours—may have contributed to the increased visibility of certain crime types, particularly shoplifting, which saw a sharp rise. However, the overall rate remains well below national levels, consistent with Ivybridge's position as a community with limited commercial density and strong local policing. The breakdown also reveals that Ivybridge's rates for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are significantly below UK averages, a trend that may be influenced by the area's smaller population and lower levels of public space congestion. While the month-on-month data shows fluctuations, the sustained low crime rate suggests that local factors such as community engagement or geographic isolation may play a role in maintaining this profile.

May 2024 saw a 125% increase in shoplifting compared to April, with incidents rising from 4 to 9. This surge aligns with the season's longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which may heighten opportunities for retail theft in Ivybridge's commercial centres. Other theft also rose sharply, increasing by 166.7% (3 to 8), a trend that could reflect seasonal shopping activity or changes in local business security measures. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 23.1% (26 to 20), likely due to the absence of school holidays and the closure of some public venues during May bank holidays. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, remained 45% below the UK average, suggesting that community cohesion or local enforcement efforts may be effective in curbing such incidents. The 79% reduction in vehicle crime compared to the UK average highlights a potential disconnect between Ivybridge's low traffic density and the national profile of vehicle-related offences, which are often concentrated in urban areas.

Ivybridge's crime rate in May 2024 rose by 5.9% compared to April's 4.2 per 1,000.4% below the UK average. This slight increase follows a pattern observed in other small built-up areas during late spring, where seasonal transitions and bank holidays may temporarily elevate local activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in May, a figure that reflects the low overall rate but underscores the visibility of incidents in a community of 11,882 residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 224 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average when scaled to similar-sized communities, suggesting that Ivybridge's policing strategies or community dynamics may contribute to sustained low-level crime. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that even with the 5.9% increase, the absolute number of crimes remains minimal relative to the area's size, which may be influenced by its rural-adjacent character and limited urban density.