Bideford Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Bideford, 7.8 crimes were reported in March 2024, placing the area 1.3% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This per-capita rate translates to a daily risk of encountering roughly five crimes in the built-up area, a figure that may influence perceptions of safety. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (3.3 per 1,000, 41.6% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (1.6 per 1,000, 20.1%) and criminal damage and arson (1.2 per 1,000, 15.4%). These patterns align with seasonal shifts, as March marks the transition to spring, with longer evenings potentially contributing to increased anti-social activity. The higher-than-average rates for violence and criminal damage may reflect local factors, such as the town's character as a small built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial zones. While the overall rate is only marginally above the UK average, specific categories like violence and anti-social behaviour show more pronounced discrepancies. This suggests that targeted interventions in high-risk areas, such as public spaces and residential neighbourhoods, could help address the imbalance. The data also highlights the importance of considering local rhythms—such as the timing of school terms or tourist activity—when analysing crime trends, though such factors are not explicitly detailed in the dataset.

March 2024 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, including a 300% rise in possession of weapons (from 1 to 4 incidents) and a 228.6% increase in criminal damage and arson (from 7 to 23). These spikes contrast with declines in other areas, such as an 83.3% drop in drug-related offences (from 6 to 1) and a 53.3% reduction in public order incidents (from 15 to 7). Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.6% of all crimes, and were 24% above the UK average. This imbalance suggests a focus on addressing violent crime and property damage in the coming months. For residents, the 228.6% increase in criminal damage and arson may prompt heightened vigilance around public spaces, particularly as the weather improves and outdoor activity increases.

Bideford's crime rate in March 2024 rose to 7.8 per 1,000 residents, a 5.7% increase from February's 7.4 per 1,000. This means residents faced a slightly higher risk of encountering crime compared to the previous month. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly five crimes reported each day, a figure that may seem abstract but translates to tangible experiences for local communities. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 128 residents, a monthly aggregate that illustrates the frequency of incidents in a population-scaled context. While this rate is marginally above the UK average, the disparity is small, suggesting that Bideford's crime profile aligns closely with national trends. The shift in crime types, such as the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson, may reflect seasonal factors like the transition to spring and longer evenings, which could influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and property-related offences.