Buckfastleigh Crime Rate

Buckfastleigh is a secure market town in South Devon, currently holding a high safety score of 83/100. The town's overall crime rate is 65.3 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7. Recent statistics show that the crime trend is decreasing, with a 9.2% reduction year-over-year. Buckfastleigh offers a peaceful and low-crime environment for its 3,033 inhabitants, making it a desirable location for families and those seeking a secure lifestyle. With property crime rates well below national norms and extremely low burglary and vehicle crime, Buckfastleigh is a safe place to live. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types, trends, and safety insights.

Crime Breakdown in Buckfastleigh

Violence and sexual offences are the most common reports in Buckfastleigh, accounting for 98 crimes or 32.3 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.9 per 1,000 and anti-social behaviour at 5.3 per 1,000. These figures are typical for a small town in this region.

Property crime in Buckfastleigh, including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is low at 15.8 per 1,000 people. This is less than half the UK national average of 32.3. Within this category, 'other theft' and shoplifting are the most frequent, while burglary is reported as extremely rare, affecting only 0.3 per 1,000 people. Vehicle crime is also not reported in the current data period. For residents, these figures reflect a secure environment where property-related offences are infrequent. However, the prevalence of criminal damage and 'other theft' suggests that maintaining property boundaries and securing outbuildings remains a sensible precaution.

Crime Trends in Buckfastleigh

The crime trend in Buckfastleigh is currently decreasing, with a 9.2% reduction in reported incidents over the past year. This downward movement is a 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 3.0 in December and a peak of 7.3 in September. After a relatively quiet start to the year, activity increased in the spring and remained elevated throughout the summer and autumn months, peaking in September before dropping significantly to 3.3 in November. This pattern suggests that while there was a sustained increase in activity during the warmer months and into the autumn, the overall trend is one of improvement, with the final month of the year showing a notable decrease in incident rates. For residents, this is a reassuring sign of the town's safety.

How To Keep Safe in Buckfastleigh

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Buckfastleigh, though the overall numbers are relatively low for a town of its size. 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 town like Buckfastleigh, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour 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 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 Buckfastleigh. 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 Buckfastleigh

Crime in Buckfastleigh follows a distinct daily pattern. The afternoon hours (12pm-6pm) are the most active for theft-related offences, which account for 52% 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 criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, which make up 79% of reports.

The night-time period (12am-6am) has the lowest overall volume of crime but presents a higher relative risk for specific offences. During this period, 'other' crimes account for 82% of incidents, and burglary reaches its highest relative frequency at 4%. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a high percentage of theft (47%) as the town's businesses and schools activate. For residents, this data highlights that securing properties overnight is essential, while being vigilant about property security and anti-social behaviour during the evening is key to maintaining the town's high safety standards. The low overall numbers mean that even small increases in specific periods are statistically notable.

In the local context, Buckfastleigh's crime rate of 65.3 is higher than the nearby town of Ashburton (42.4). It is also higher than smaller neighbours like Dartington (44.8) and settlements like Buckfast or Broadhempston (both 0.0), but it remains a secure choice for the region. For those seeking a quiet, residential lifestyle with good access to the A38 and Dartmoor, Buckfastleigh offers a statistically safe environment that is significantly more secure than larger urban hubs.

For residents of Buckfastleigh, property protection is about maintaining the town's high safety standards. While the property crime rate is low at 15.8 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 Buckfastleigh, this professional-grade deterrence is the most effective way to prevent crime and ensure your property remains a hard target for opportunistic thieves.