Appledore (Torridge) Crime Rate

Appledore (Torridge) is a secure urban settlement with a safety score of 87/100. Its overall crime rate is 54.6 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. However, the area has experienced a notable 81.1% increase in crime over the past year, a trend that warrants attention from local residents. Despite this rise, property crime remains relatively low at 16.3 per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This context suggests that while Appledore is statistically safe, the recent upward trend in reported incidents indicates a shifting safety landscape that residents should monitor.

Crime Breakdown in Appledore (Torridge)

In Appledore (Torridge), the crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 20.9% and anti-social behaviour at 14.9%. Together, these three categories represent over three-quarters of the local crime, suggesting that the community's primary safety challenges are related to social conduct and property damage rather than professional theft.

The property crime rate in Appledore is 16.3 per 1,000 residents. This includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. While this is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, it is higher than many of its more rural neighbours. Burglary accounts for a small fraction (1.5%) of total crime, meaning the statistical risk to homeowners is low. However, the high rate of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour suggests that residents should be mindful of the security of their property's exterior and public-facing boundaries. For homeowners, this means that while the risk of a break-in is low, the risk of vandalism or opportunistic theft is more pronounced.

Crime Trends in Appledore (Torridge)

The crime trend in Appledore (Torridge) shows a significant upward movement, with a 81.1% increase in total offences over the last year. This is a substantial jump that residents should be aware of. Monthly data for 2025 reveals a volatile pattern; the year began with a relatively low rate of 0.8 in December 2024, but saw several peaks throughout the following months. Notable spikes occurred in March (6.5), June (6.5), and August (8.2).

By October 2025, the rate had settled at 4.1. These fluctuations suggest that crime in Appledore may be influenced by seasonal factors or specific local events. While the overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, the sharp year-over-year increase indicates that the area is currently experiencing a period of heightened activity. Residents and homeowners may wish to review their security measures in light of this trend to ensure they remain protected.

How To Keep Safe in Appledore (Torridge)

The most prevalent crime in Appledore is violence and sexual offences, which often includes verbal altercations or anti-social behaviour. To stay safe in the area, consider the following advice:

1. Be aware of your surroundings, especially during the evening and night when 'other' offences and anti-social behaviour are most frequent.
2. If you witness anti-social behaviour or public disorder, do not intervene directly; move to a safe location and report the incident to the police.
3. Keep your property's exterior well-lit and secure to deter the criminal damage and arson that account for 20.9% of local crime.
4. When out at night, especially near local pubs or social hubs, stay with friends and plan your route home in advance.
5. Join a local Neighbourhood Watch group to stay informed about recent incidents and share safety information with your community.

Crime Time Patterns in Appledore (Torridge)

In Appledore, the type of crime reported varies significantly throughout the day. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 41% and 45% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely to occur during daylight hours when residents are active or away from home.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, 'other' offences become much more dominant, accounting for 78% of all reports in both periods. This shift indicates that social-related offences and anti-social behaviour are concentrated in the late hours. For homeowners, the risk of burglary also increases as the day progresses, peaking at 11% during the night-time hours (12am to 6am). This temporal data suggests that while daytime security should focus on theft prevention, nighttime security is critical for protecting against burglary and social disorder.

In the local Torridge context, Appledore (54.6 per 1,000) occupies a middle ground for safety. It is considerably safer than the larger town of Bideford, which has a much higher crime rate of 92.1. It also compares favourably to Westward Ho! (47.4) and Northam (40.2), which have similar crime profiles. However, it is less safe than the exceptionally quiet village of Instow, which reported no crimes in the latest period. For those looking at the North Devon coast, Appledore offers a balanced environment—more active than the smallest villages, but significantly more secure than the region's larger urban centres.

Proactive Protection in Appledore

With a property crime rate of 16.3 per 1,000 people and a high incidence of criminal damage (20.9%), Appledore residents face specific security challenges. While the risk of burglary is statistically low, the threat of vandalism and opportunistic theft is more prevalent. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV, are reactive; they record footage of an incident that has already occurred, which often does little to prevent the initial damage or loss.

scOS provides a proactive security solution designed to stop crime before it happens. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter, scOS can identify suspicious activity in real-time. Whether it's someone approaching a vehicle or loitering near a boundary, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio alerts. This is particularly effective in Appledore, where preventing criminal damage is as important as stopping theft. By choosing a proactive system like scOS, homeowners can actively defend their property, ensuring that they are not just recording crime, but preventing it.