Bideford Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bideford's crime rate for February 2025 stood at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 4.5% reduction compared to the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure reflects a relatively stable crime picture, though the composition of reported incidents reveals notable trends. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 44.3% of all recorded crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.2%) and other theft (9.0%). These figures align with patterns often seen in medium-sized built-up areas, where community tensions and local social dynamics can contribute to higher rates of violent incidents. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced the crime profile, with fewer opportunities for outdoor crimes but persistent issues in more confined spaces. The relatively low burglary rate (2.5% of total crimes) suggests that residential areas may be experiencing fewer break-ins compared to the UK average, though this could be consistent with Bideford’s character as a coastal or semi-rural built-up area where property crime is less concentrated. The data also highlights a significant disparity in the distribution of crime types compared to the UK average, with violence and sexual offences being 19% above the national rate, while shoplifting is 19% below. These variations may reflect local factors such as the presence of community centres, policing strategies, or demographic characteristics that influence crime patterns in specific ways. Overall, the crime rate remains within a range typical for similar areas, but the emphasis on violent crime warrants attention from residents and local authorities.

February 2025 saw notable month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with increases in 'other crime' and 'drugs' reporting a 25% rise each, and 'other theft' increasing by 22.2%. These shifts suggest potential pressures on local law enforcement and community services, particularly in addressing emerging issues such as unclassified criminal activities and illicit drug-related incidents. Conversely, there were marked decreases in 'public order' offences and 'theft from the person', both falling by 50% compared to the previous month. This decline may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as reduced public gatherings during colder weather or increased vigilance from residents. The breakdown of crime types also reveals stark differences compared to the UK average: 'violence and sexual offences' are 19% above the national rate, while 'shoplifting' is 19% below. These discrepancies could be influenced by the local socio-economic environment, with higher rates of violent crime linked to the area’s built-up characteristics and lower rates of shoplifting reflecting effective retail security measures or lower foot traffic in commercial zones. A key insight for residents is the significant rise in 'other crime', which may encompass a range of unclassified or less visible incidents. This category’s increase by 25% underscores the need for community awareness and collaboration with local authorities to address these issues effectively.

Bideford’s crime rate for February 2025 was 6.4 per 1,000 residents, a 15.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.6 per 1,000. This decline suggests a short-term improvement in local crime management, though it remains to be seen whether this trend continues into subsequent months. On a daily basis, Bideford recorded an average of four crimes per day during February, translating to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 156 residents. This figure provides context for residents, illustrating that while crime is present, the likelihood of being directly affected remains relatively low compared to more densely populated areas. When scaled to the local population of 19,048, the monthly exposure of 1-in-156 residents highlights the importance of community-based crime prevention initiatives, as even modest reductions in crime rates can have meaningful impacts on public safety. The comparison to the UK average further underscores Bideford’s position as a slightly safer area in terms of overall crime rates, though the higher-than-average rates of violent crime and anti-social behaviour indicate areas for targeted intervention. These statistics, while seemingly abstract, offer a practical reference for residents to understand the local crime context and engage with local policing strategies that aim to maintain and build upon this downward trend.