Bideford Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Bideford during August 2023 reveals a distinctive profile shaped by its coastal location and seasonal rhythms. With a crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 17.3% below the UK average, reflecting a combination of local factors and broader regional trends. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (32% of total incidents) and anti-social behaviour (24.2%), a balance that suggests a complex interaction between community dynamics and environmental factors. While violence and sexual offences remained consistent with previous months, the sharp rise in public order offences highlights the impact of August as a peak holiday period, with increased foot traffic and social activity in coastal areas. This month also saw shoplifting maintain parity with the UK average, despite the typically low levels associated with smaller towns. The absence of a significant spike in burglary—despite the seasonal risk posed by empty homes—may be attributed to effective local policing strategies or the compact nature of Bideford's built-up area, which limits opportunities for such crimes. The overall crime mix illustrates a community where violent incidents and anti-social behaviour dominate, contrasting with the UK-wide trend where property crimes often feature more prominently. This pattern may be influenced by Bideford's character as a coastal resort town with a mix of permanent residents and transient visitors, creating unique challenges for local authorities. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime and burglary compared to the UK average further underscore the area's distinctiveness, though these figures must be interpreted with caution given the small population size and potential for statistical volatility in low-crime areas.

August 2023 saw a dramatic 800% increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 9 incidents. This spike, while statistically significant, may reflect the impact of summer tourism and increased social gatherings in public spaces. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 68.4% (19 to 6), likely linked to fewer vehicles on the road during the summer break. Anti-social behaviour remained 11% above the UK average at 1.6 per 1,000, a figure that contrasts with the overall rate being 17.3% below the national average. The balance between property and violent crimes was unusually even, with both categories accounting for 32% of total incidents. This mix suggests a combination of local factors, including the proximity to coastal tourism areas and the presence of a significant elderly population in residential zones. Residents may find the 11% above UK average for anti-social behaviour particularly noteworthy, as this category often correlates with localised issues such as noise complaints or littering.

Bideford's crime rate in August 2023 stood at 6.7 per 1,000 residents, a 6.5% decrease from the previous month's 7.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal trend, as August typically sees reduced foot traffic in retail areas and fewer vehicles on residential roads during the summer break. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 4 crimes per day, a figure that remains consistent with Bideford's generally low crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 149 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the area well below the UK average when scaled to population size. This statistic suggests that residents face a lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national context, though localized factors such as coastal tourism and seasonal property vacancies could influence specific crime types. The drop in vehicle crime by 68.4% (19 to 6) likely reflects fewer cars on the road during the holiday period, while the 800% rise in public order offences may indicate increased social activity in public spaces during the summer months.