South Brent Crime Rate

South Brent is a safe and well-regarded urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 58.4 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK national average of 93.1, highlighting the area's relative security. The settlement earns a high safety score of 86/100, significantly exceeding the national benchmark of 78. Crime trends in South Brent are currently stable, showing a negligible 0.7% change year-over-year. This consistency suggests that the local community remains a secure place to live and work. While the figures are generally low, understanding the breakdown of crime types and their timing can help residents maintain this high standard of safety. The following sections provide detailed insights into South Brent's crime statistics and practical advice for residents.

Crime in South Brent

Crime in South Brent is predominantly led by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 47.7% of all reports, at a rate of 27.9 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson (16.3%) and anti-social behaviour (13.1%). These figures indicate that personal safety and community order are the primary focal points for local law enforcement.

Property crime in South Brent, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and theft, stands at 16.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting a relatively secure environment for homeowners. Notably, burglary and vehicle crime are both very low, each accounting for only 0.7% of total crimes. However, other theft (5.9%) and shoplifting (5.2%) are more frequent within the property crime category. For residents, this means that while the risk of a domestic break-in is statistically minimal, opportunistic theft in public or commercial spaces is a more common occurrence. Protecting personal belongings in public and maintaining basic home security are effective ways to mitigate these risks.

The crime trend in South Brent is stable, with a minor 0.7% increase year-over-year. This suggests that the area maintains a very consistent safety profile. Monthly data from November 2024 to October 2025 shows some variability, with a significant peak in January 2025 reaching 8.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. Other months, such as September 2025 (6.5) and April 2025 (5.7), also showed slightly higher activity, while December 2024 saw a low of just 2.3.

These fluctuations are common in smaller settlements where a handful of incidents can disproportionately affect monthly statistics. The overall stable trend is a positive sign for residents, indicating that there is no sustained rise in criminal activity. The consistency in the data suggests that local policing and community safety efforts are effective in managing the area's crime levels. For residents and potential movers, this stability provides a high degree of predictability regarding the local safety environment.

How To Keep Safe in South Brent

The most common crime in South Brent is violence and sexual offences. To enhance personal safety, it is advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Sticking to well-lit main roads and avoiding isolated paths can significantly reduce risk. If you are out late, consider using a personal safety app or ensuring a friend knows your route and expected return time.

Given that criminal damage is the second most frequent crime, residents should take steps to protect their property from opportunistic vandalism. Ensure that gates are locked and that vehicles are parked in garages or well-lit driveways whenever possible. Motion-sensor lighting is an excellent and cost-effective way to deter anti-social behaviour near your home. Finally, staying connected with your neighbours through local community groups or social media can help ensure that any suspicious activity is quickly identified and reported to the police, helping to keep South Brent a safe place for everyone.

In South Brent, crime activity follows a distinct temporal pattern. Daytime hours, particularly between 6am and 6pm, are most associated with theft-related offences. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft accounts for 40% of reports, rising to 46% in the afternoon (12pm-6pm). This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely during active business and social hours. As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts away from theft and toward other categories, including anti-social behaviour and community offences, which make up 80% of evening reports and 77% of night-time reports. Interestingly, while overall incident numbers are low, the percentage of burglaries and vehicle crimes peaks during the night (12am-6am), at 5% and 8% respectively. This indicates that while the village is generally quiet at night, unattended property and vehicles are at their highest relative risk during these hours. Peak overall intensity is typically observed on Friday and Saturday nights.

South Brent compares favourably within its local Devon context. Its crime rate of 58.4 per 1,000 is lower than that of Buckfastleigh (68.3), though it is slightly higher than the rates in nearby Bittaford (45.9) and Ivybridge (53.9). The small settlement of Buckfast stands out with a reported crime rate of 0.0, which is typical for very small rural hamlets. South Brent sits comfortably in the middle of this regional spectrum, offering a safe residential environment that is more secure than some neighbouring urban centres while still being an active community. For those considering the South Hams area, South Brent represents a balanced and safe choice with stable crime figures.

With a property crime rate of 16.8 per 1,000, South Brent is a low-risk area, but residents should not be complacent. Traditional security often relies on recording an incident after it has occurred, which provides evidence but fails to stop the crime. Proactive protection is a more effective strategy for maintaining the safety of your home. The scOS AI-powered security operating system is designed to prevent crime by detecting threats at the property boundary. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS identifies unusual patterns and can distinguish between residents and potential intruders. When a threat is detected, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like high-intensity lighting and audible warnings. This approach destroys the element of surprise that most burglars rely on. For South Brent homeowners, installing a professional-grade system like scOS provides peace of mind by stopping property crime before it starts, ensuring your home remains part of the area's positive safety statistics.