Bideford Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bideford's 'Other crime' category stands out as 150% above the UK average, a stark contrast to its overall crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents—21.4% below the national average. This anomaly suggests a unique local dynamic. The area's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences (43.3% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. December's seasonal context—Christmas shopping, party season, and extended dark evenings—likely contributes to these patterns. Violent crime rates, at 2.4 per 1,000, are 7% below the UK average, possibly reflecting Bideford's relatively stable community environment. Property crimes, though lower than violent incidents, still account for 31 total cases, with shoplifting and other thefts comprising 15.4% of the total. The data hints at a balance between local factors and broader seasonal trends, with no clear indication of systemic issues. However, the sharp divergence in 'Other crime' deserves closer attention, as it may signal underreported or niche criminal activity not captured by standard categories.

December 2025 saw a 200% increase in burglary cases, rising from 1 to 3, a shift that may reflect seasonal vulnerabilities in empty homes during the holiday period. Conversely, public order offences fell by 62.5% (16 to 6), potentially linked to reduced nightlife activity as the month progressed. The 'Other crime' category surged by 133.3%, jumping from 3 to 7 incidents, a figure 150% above the UK average and the most significant deviation in the dataset. This spike, though unclassified, could indicate emerging trends or underreported issues. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour dropped by 51.9% (27 to 13), due to holiday-related community cohesion or temporary changes in local activity. The breakdown also shows shoplifting and other thefts remained 30% and 23% below UK averages respectively, consistent with Bideford's generally lower retail crime rates. These fluctuations highlight the month's volatility, with some categories aligning with seasonal expectations while others defy them.

Bideford's crime rate in December 2025 (5.5 per 1,000) marked a 28.7% decline from the previous month's 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting a significant improvement in public safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may appear modest but translates to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 183 residents. This rate, while lower than the UK average, highlights the relative safety of Bideford compared to national trends. The population context—19,048 residents—means that the 104 total crimes represent a manageable burden for local services. The drop from 7.7 to 5.5 per 1,000 suggests effective policing or seasonal factors mitigating crime during December. However, the 150% spike in 'Other crime' remains unexplained by the data, underscoring the need for further investigation into this category. These comparisons provide a nuanced picture of Bideford's crime profile, balancing local achievements against persistent anomalies.