Bideford Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Bideford’s crime profile in October 2025, accounting for 46.7% of all reported crimes. With a crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000 residents — 3.9% above the UK average — the area’s monthly statistics highlight a stark contrast between violent crime and property-related incidents. While property crimes make up 31% of the total (47 cases), violent crimes (71 cases) are the primary concern, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category by 39%. This imbalance may reflect local factors, such as the area’s mix of residential and commercial zones, which could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Seasonal context also plays a role: as clocks go back and evenings grow darker, the Halloween period may have amplified opportunities for certain crimes. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average, remains a notable concern, while shoplifting and criminal damage both exceed national benchmarks. These trends underscore the need for targeted policing and community engagement strategies, particularly during transitional months like October, when reduced daylight and seasonal events may influence criminal activity patterns.

October 2025 saw a 77.8% increase in shoplifting cases, rising from 9 to 16 incidents. This jump, though still below the UK average for the category, highlights a growing trend in retail crime. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour fell by 40.5%, dropping from 37 to 22 cases — a decline that may reflect seasonal changes or increased community policing efforts. Violence and sexual offences, which remain 39% above the UK average, continued to dominate the crime profile, with 71 cases reported. This category’s persistence as the leading concern suggests ongoing challenges in addressing interpersonal crime, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or public spaces. Meanwhile, vehicle crime increased by 50%, from 2 to 3 incidents, though it remains 52% below the UK average. These figures illustrate a combination of local conditions and broader national trends, with some categories showing marked shifts while others remain stable. For residents, the 77.8% rise in shoplifting is a concrete data point that may warrant closer attention to retail security measures.

Bideford’s crime rate in October 2025 rose 2.7% compared to September’s 7.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 5 crimes per day — a figure that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the persistent nature of local crime. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Bideford within the upper range of UK towns of similar size. This statistic, when contextualised with the population of 19,048, illustrates the tangible impact of crime on daily life. The increase in violent crime compared to the previous month, combined with the UK-wide average of 7.7 per 1,000, shows Bideford’s rate is now marginally higher than the national benchmark. While this may seem modest, it highlights the need for continuous monitoring and resource allocation. The contrast between categories — such as the sharp rise in shoplifting against the decline in anti-social behaviour — further complicates the picture, suggesting that local factors may be influencing different crime types in distinct ways. For residents, these figures offer a snapshot of how crime patterns evolve month-to-month, even within a relatively stable overall rate.