Ashburton Crime Rate

Ashburton is a highly secure market town on the edge of Dartmoor, currently holding an excellent safety score of 89/100. The town's overall crime rate is just 42.4 per 1,000 residents, which is less than half the UK national average of 91.7. Recent statistics show that the crime trend is decreasing, with a significant 28.0% reduction year-over-year. Ashburton offers a peaceful and low-crime environment for its 3,517 inhabitants, making it a highly desirable location for families and those seeking a secure lifestyle. With property crime rates significantly below national norms and almost no vehicle crime, Ashburton is one of the safest towns in Devon. The following sections detail the specific crime patterns and safety insights for this historic market town.

Crime Breakdown in Ashburton

Violence and sexual offences are the most common reports in Ashburton, accounting for 73 crimes or 20.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (5.7 per 1,000) and criminal damage and arson (5.1 per 1,000). These figures reflect a quiet and secure market town environment.

Property crime in Ashburton, including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is low at 11.4 per 1,000 people. This is roughly one-third of the UK national average of 32.3. Within this category, 'other theft' and burglary are the most frequent, though both occur at very low rates (4.5 and 1.1 per 1,000 respectively). Vehicle crime is almost non-existent, affecting only 0.3 per 1,000 people. For residents, these figures reflect a very secure environment where property-related offences are rare. However, the prevalence of 'other theft' and criminal damage suggests that maintaining property boundaries and securing outbuildings remains a sensible precaution.

Crime Trends in Ashburton

The crime trend in Ashburton is currently decreasing, with a significant 28.0% reduction in reported incidents over the past year. This downward movement is a very positive indicator for the town, reflecting a secure and well-monitored community that is becoming even safer for its residents.

Analysis of the monthly trendData from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, with a low of 1.7 in January and a peak of 5.4 in May. After a relatively quiet start to the year, activity increased in the spring and early summer before tapering off in the autumn. The year ended with a rate of 4.0 in November. This pattern suggests that while there was a temporary spike in activity during the warmer months, the overall trend is one of improvement, with the latter half of the year showing generally lower incident rates than the first. For residents, this is a reassuring sign of the town's safety.

How To Keep Safe in Ashburton

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Ashburton, though the overall numbers are very low. To maintain personal safety, it is always wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking in quieter areas after dark, and to use well-lit routes where possible.

In a market town like Ashburton, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are the next most common issues. Ensuring your property's boundaries are well-defined and using motion-activated lighting can deter loitering and opportunistic crime. For those living near the town centre, keeping valuables out of sight in your vehicle is a sensible precaution.

Fostering strong relationships with neighbours through a local watch scheme can also help in identifying and reporting suspicious activity quickly. While the town is very safe, staying proactive about your property's security is the best way to maintain the high standards of safety found in Ashburton. Ensuring that all outbuildings and garages are securely locked is particularly important for residents in this semi-rural setting. Joining a local community alert programme can also keep you informed of any specific local safety concerns.

Crime Patterns in Ashburton

Crime in Ashburton follows a distinct daily pattern. The afternoon hours (12pm-6pm) are the most active for theft-related offences, which account for 63% of crimes during this period. This often involves opportunistic theft from properties. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the focus shifts significantly towards 'other' offences, including anti-social behaviour and public order, which make up 53% of reports.

The night-time period (12am-6am) has the lowest overall volume of crime but presents a higher relative risk for specific property crimes. During this period, burglary reaches its peak relative frequency at 22% of incidents, and vehicle crime also rises to 9%. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a high percentage of theft (62%) as the town's businesses and schools activate. For residents, this data highlights that securing vehicles and properties overnight is essential, while being vigilant about property security during the afternoon is key to deterring opportunistic thieves. The overall low numbers mean that even small increases in specific periods are statistically notable.

In the local context, Ashburton's crime rate of 42.4 is notably lower than the nearby town of Buckfastleigh (65.3). It has a very similar safety profile to other residential areas in Teignbridge, and while it is higher than the tiny village of Buckfast (0.0) or hamlets like Broadhempston and Haytor Vale (both 0.0), it remains one of the safest towns in the district. For those seeking a quiet, secure lifestyle within easy reach of Dartmoor and the A38, Ashburton offers a statistically excellent residential environment.

For residents of Ashburton, property protection is about maintaining the town's high safety standards. While the property crime rate is low at 11.4 per 1,000, it is always wise to be proactive. Traditional security cameras often only record a crime as it happens, which is of little comfort after a break-in.

scOS provides a superior alternative by using AI-powered proactive protection. It monitors your property boundary 24/7, using multi-camera intelligence to detect potential threats before they reach your home. The system is smart enough to recognise your family and regular visitors, ensuring you only receive alerts for genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously respond by activating lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise. In a town like Ashburton, this professional-grade deterrence is the most effective way to prevent crime and ensure your property remains a hard target for opportunistic thieves.