Bideford Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

September 2023 saw Bideford record a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 38.7% below the UK average of 8.0. This marked a significant shift from August, though the overall crime rate remained lower than national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 47.9% of all reported crimes. This was followed by anti-social behaviour (21.3%) and criminal damage and arson (8.5%). These figures align with seasonal patterns observed in coastal towns during the transition from summer to autumn, when increased social activity and the return of students to educational institutions may contribute to heightened interpersonal tensions. The low levels of property crime—such as shoplifting (4.3%) and vehicle crime (0.2%)—suggest that Bideford's built-up area, likely characterised by a mix of residential and commercial zones, maintains a relatively secure environment for property. The seasonal context of September, with back-to-school routines and university freshers’ week, may have influenced patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. The data also highlights a consistent trend of lower-than-average rates for crimes such as burglary and drug-related offences, which may reflect Bideford’s smaller population size and lower density compared to larger urban centres.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in theft from the person, which rose by 100% from zero incidents in August to two in September. This spike, though still a small absolute number, may signal increased vulnerability during the early stages of the academic year, when students and new residents adjust to local routines. Concurrently, violence and sexual offences increased by 9.8%, moving from 41 to 45 incidents. This shift could be linked to the return of students to the area, though the overall rate remains 12% below the UK average for this category. Conversely, burglary plummeted by 75%, from four to one incident, a stark contrast to the previous month. This decline may reflect heightened awareness or temporary changes in residential activity during the transition to autumn. Other theft and drug-related crimes also saw significant reductions, with the former falling by 66.7% and the latter by the same proportion. These decreases contrast with the UK average for possession of weapons, which was 43% higher in Bideford. This anomaly may indicate a localised issue or reporting disparity, though further analysis would be needed to confirm. The data underscores Bideford’s position as a low-crime area, with most categories well below national benchmarks, but highlights the need for vigilance in specific areas such as theft from individuals.

Bideford’s crime rate in September 2023 fell by 26.6% compared to August, dropping from 6.7 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, where crime rates in smaller towns often decrease as social activity shifts from summer to autumn. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately three crimes per day, a figure that, while relatively low, may still concern residents accustomed to even lower levels. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 203 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Bideford among the safer communities in the UK. When scaled to the local population of 19,048, this statistic illustrates that the majority of residents remain unaffected by crime, though the absolute number of incidents still warrants attention. The comparison to the previous month highlights the volatility of crime trends in smaller built-up areas, where fluctuations can be influenced by transient factors such as temporary events or changes in reporting practices. While the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, the data reveals a nuanced picture of local crime dynamics, with some categories showing marked improvements and others requiring closer monitoring.