Bideford Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Bideford during August 2025 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for over a third of all incidents. This mix contrasts with the UK average, where such offences typically constitute slightly less than a third. The area's 8.8 crimes per 1,000 residents places it 8.6% above the UK average of 8.1, a discrepancy that may partly reflect local characteristics. Anti-social behaviour (25.8% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (14.4%) are both significantly above UK rates, suggesting a pattern of community-level disturbances that could be linked to the area's seasonal rhythms. August, as a peak holiday month, typically sees increased tourism and empty properties, yet burglary remains 26% below the UK average. This anomaly may indicate effective local security measures or a lower density of high-value properties compared to other regions. The dominance of violence and sexual offences (32.3% of total crimes) is particularly striking, a figure that is 2% below the UK average for this category. This suggests a combination of local demographics and environmental factors, with the town's mix of residential and commercial areas likely contributing to the prevalence of such offences. The relatively low rate of burglary (2.4% of total crimes) compared to UK averages could also be influenced by Bideford's coastal location, where property values and security infrastructure differ from more densely populated urban centres.

August 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary experiencing a 300% increase from one to four incidents. This sharp rise, occurring during a month typically associated with heightened burglary risk due to empty holiday homes, may indicate a combination of seasonal factors and targeted criminal activity. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 75%, dropping from four to one incident, a decline that could reflect increased enforcement or reduced demand during the summer months. The crime mix also shifted with anti-social behaviour (25.8% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (14.4%) both exceeding UK averages by 58% and 120% respectively. These figures suggest a persistent challenge in managing community disorder, particularly in public spaces. While violence and sexual offences (32.3% of total crimes) remained the most common category, they were 2% below the UK average for this type, a nuance that may reflect local policing priorities or demographic differences. For residents, the 58% above-average rate for anti-social behaviour is a concrete data point that could inform community engagement strategies. The sharp increase in burglary, despite August's typical risk profile, deserves closer attention to whether specific areas or times of day are more vulnerable, though no direct causal link can be drawn from the available data.

Bideford's crime rate in August 2025 (8.8 per 1,000 residents) represents a 4.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 8.4, a rise that may be influenced by seasonal transitions and the summer tourist season. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately five crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 167 incidents into a more relatable timeframe for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 114 residents, a monthly exposure rate that provides a clearer picture of individual risk than daily statistics alone. When compared to the UK average, Bideford's population-scaled perspective reveals both strengths and areas for improvement. While the overall rate is slightly above the national average, the 26% below-average burglary rate suggests that certain crime prevention measures may be working effectively. Conversely, the 58% above-average rate for anti-social behaviour highlights a need for targeted interventions in public spaces. With a population of 19,048, the local context means that each crime has a more immediate impact on the community than in larger urban areas. The 4.4% month-on-month increase, though modest, underscores the importance of maintaining consistent policing and community engagement efforts, particularly as August transitions into the quieter months of late summer and early autumn.