Bideford Crime Rate

Bideford's crime rate, assessed between January 2025 and December 2025, stands at 91.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. This figure is marginally lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a broadly comparable safety level. However, a closer examination of the specific crime types reveals areas of concern. Violence and sexual offences represent a significant proportion of incidents, alongside anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. Despite this, a recent decrease of -5.4% year-on-year indicates a positive trend, though continued vigilance and targeted interventions remain crucial for maintaining and improving the safety of the community. Understanding these patterns is vital for residents and authorities alike.

The crime landscape of Bideford, as reflected in data from January 2025 to December 2025, reveals a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences. These accounted for 705 crimes, representing 40.5% of all recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour also contributes significantly, with 337 reported cases, or 19.4% of the total. Criminal damage and arson followed, recording 173 incidents (9.9%). Shoplifting, often linked to the town’s commercial activity, saw 152 reported incidents, contributing 8.7%. The lower incidence of burglary, at 31 incidents (1.8%), suggests a potentially different pattern compared to other areas. The overall property crime rate of 26.1 per 1,000 residents highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these specific issues and the broader factors contributing to criminal activity within Bideford.

Crime rates in Bideford have shown a positive downward trend, decreasing by -5.4% year-on-year. Monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reflects this pattern, although fluctuations are observed throughout the year. For example, crime rates peaked in April 2025 at 8.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, but significantly dropped to 5.5 per 1,000 in December 2025. While this overall reduction is encouraging, ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to sustain this progress and address the root causes of crime in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Bideford

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s advisable to be particularly aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Consider using well-lit routes and avoiding isolated areas. Due to the high incidence of anti-social behaviour, reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities is crucial. Locking doors and windows, even when at home, is a simple but effective measure to deter criminal damage and burglaries. Finally, be mindful of your belongings in public spaces to reduce the risk of theft.

Crimes in Bideford don’t follow a predictable pattern. Burglary is slightly more common during the night (15%), while theft is concentrated in the afternoon (54%). Violence tends to peak during the evening hours (0%). Vehicle crime is also more frequent overnight, with 10% of incidents occurring between 12am and 6am. This suggests that while daytime theft is a concern, nighttime security remains a priority, particularly for vehicle owners and those living in areas prone to burglaries. Overall, the distribution of crimes across different times of the day highlights the need for comprehensive security measures at all hours.

Compared to neighbouring areas, Bideford's crime rate is slightly higher than Northam (40.5 per 1,000) and Westward Ho! (46.8 per 1,000), but significantly lower than Appledore (54.6 per 1,000). Littleham’s virtually non-existent crime rate (0.0 per 1,000) presents a stark contrast, highlighting the varied safety profiles within the Torridge district. These comparisons underscore the localised nature of crime and the importance of targeted safety initiatives within each community.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide recordings after a crime has occurred. scOS, however, offers a proactive approach to home security. Imagine a scenario: a potential burglar approaches your property. While a standard system would simply record the incident, scOS's AI-powered technology detects the individual at the boundary, instantly activating lights and speakers, creating a visible deterrent. The DVLA vehicle verification feature instantly flags any suspicious vehicles, and pattern learning identifies your family and deliveries, minimising false alarms. Most burglars make decisions within 60 seconds; scOS makes that decision easy for them – they move on. Reading crime statistics like Bideford’s 91.4 per 1,000 residents is informative, but actively preventing threats at your property line is transformative. If you’re serious about protection, consider the difference between reactive recording and proactive prevention.