Wembury Crime Rate

Wembury is one of the safest urban settlements in the region, with an overall crime rate of 29.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 93/100. While the area maintains a high standard of security, the trend direction has shown a 43.3% increase year-over-year. This rise is often characteristic of areas with very low baseline numbers, where even a handful of additional incidents can impact the percentage significantly. Residents can generally feel secure, as Wembury remains far safer than most comparable built-up areas across the country.

Crime Breakdown in Wembury

Wembury's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 51.2% of all recorded incidents (22 crimes). This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 18.6% and anti-social behaviour at 13.9%. These three categories represent the vast majority of local police activity.

Property-related crime in Wembury is exceptionally low, with a rate of just 6.8 per 1,000 residents. This category includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. In the current data period, there were no recorded burglaries or vehicle crimes, which is a significant indicator of the area's safety for homeowners. Most property crime is categorized as 'other theft,' which occurs at a rate of 1.4 per 1,000. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety and community conduct are the primary focus of local statistics, the risk of property loss or home invasion remains remarkably minimal compared to national averages.

Crime Trends in Wembury

Wembury has experienced a notable upward trend in crime over the last year, with a 43.3% increase in total reported incidents. Monthly data shows significant volatility, which is typical for small populations. For example, November 2024 and May 2025 saw peaks of 5.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, while months like December 2024, February 2025, and April 2025 saw rates as low as 0.7.

This trend indicates that crime in Wembury is not a constant pressure but occurs in sporadic clusters. The recent increase should be viewed with the understanding that the area's overall crime rate remains very low at 29.4 per 1,000. For residents, this means that while the statistical increase is high, the community remains one of the safest in Devon. Monitoring these monthly fluctuations can help local authorities and residents identify periods where increased vigilance may be beneficial.

How To Keep Safe in Wembury

The highest crime category in Wembury is violence and sexual offences, often involving people known to each other, but it is important to remain aware of your surroundings. To stay safe in the area, consider the following advice:

1. When walking alone, especially during the evening hours when 'other' crime types are most frequent, stick to well-lit paths and let someone know your expected arrival time.
2. Foster strong community links with your neighbours; active neighbourhood awareness is one of the most effective deterrents against anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
3. While property crime is low, ensure all outbuildings and garages are securely locked, as these can be targets for opportunistic 'other theft'.
4. Report any suspicious behaviour or persistent anti-social behaviour to the local South Hams police to help maintain the area's high safety standards.
5. Use smart home technology to monitor your property boundaries, providing an extra layer of deterrence that complements the local low-crime environment.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Wembury

An analysis of Wembury's crime data reveals distinct temporal patterns. During the morning and afternoon hours, theft-related offences are at their most prominent, accounting for 35% and 40% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are more likely to occur during daylight hours when there is more movement in the village.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of recorded crime shifts significantly. Between 6pm and midnight, theft drops to 12%, while 'other' offences—which include violence, criminal damage, and anti-social behaviour—surge to 88%. This pattern intensifies during the night (12am to 6am), where 91% of all recorded incidents fall into the 'other' category. This suggests that while overall crime is low, the small number of incidents that do occur late at night are primarily related to community conduct and personal safety rather than property theft.

When comparing Wembury to its immediate neighbours, it sits in a relatively low-crime bracket, though it is not the lowest in the area. Newton Ferrers shares a similar profile with a crime rate of 27.6 per 1,000 people. In contrast, the nearby settlements of Noss Mayo, Heybrook Bay, and Brixton all recorded a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 residents during the same period. While Wembury's rate of 29.4 is higher than these zero-crime areas, it remains exceptionally safe in a regional and national context. The slight variations between these coastal and rural villages often reflect small differences in population density and local activity rather than a significant disparity in safety.

Despite Wembury's low property crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000, the recent 43.3% increase in overall crime suggests that residents should remain vigilant. Traditional security systems often rely on recording incidents as they happen, which unfortunately only provides evidence after a crime has been committed. In an area like Wembury, where peace of mind is a key draw for residents, proactive protection is a more effective strategy.

The scOS operating system offers a modern alternative by using AI-powered intelligence to prevent crime before it reaches your door. By monitoring property boundaries in real-time, scOS can distinguish between a neighbour and a potential threat, triggering autonomous responses like lighting or audio alerts to deter intruders. This proactive approach is particularly valuable for maintaining the low burglary rates currently enjoyed in the area. Instead of just having footage of an incident, scOS aims to ensure the incident never occurs, preserving the safety and character of the Wembury community.