Bideford Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bideford's crime rate for September 2025 stood at 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 5.4% above the UK average of 7.4. This marks a notable deviation from the national trend. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 41.9% of all reported incidents (62 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (25.0%) and criminal damage and arson (11.5%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of September, a time when back-to-school and university freshers events typically increase social activity in the area. The higher-than-average rates for violence and sexual offences (28% above UK average) and anti-social behaviour (62% above UK average) may reflect the influx of students and the associated social dynamics, though direct causation cannot be confirmed without further analysis. The drop in shoplifting and vehicle crime compared to UK averages suggests local factors—such as targeted policing in retail areas or reduced vehicle presence during the academic term—may be at play. However, the sharp rise in possession of weapons (43% above UK average) and the 100% increase in vehicle crime highlight areas requiring closer attention, particularly as the weather turns and nightlife activity shifts.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in September 2025 was the 100% increase in vehicle crime, with 2 incidents reported compared to 0 in August. This surge may be linked to seasonal transitions, as the return to school and university potentially increased vehicle movement in residential areas. Concurrently, possession of weapons also rose by 100%, from 1 to 2 incidents, a spike that contrasts with the 40% decrease in drugs-related offences and the 50% drop in burglary. These divergent trends suggest complex local dynamics: while reduced burglary could reflect fewer homes being unoccupied during the academic term, the simultaneous rise in violent crime and weapon possession may indicate heightened tensions in public spaces. Shoplifting remained 18% below the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), a figure that may be attributable to Bideford's smaller retail footprint compared to larger urban centres. The 14.8% increase in violence and sexual offences, though not the largest swing, is significant given their disproportionate share of the crime burden (41.9% of total incidents). Residents may find the 20% decrease in other theft (from 0.5 to 0.4 per 1,000) a relevant indicator, suggesting potential improvements in local policing or community engagement strategies targeting petty crime.

Bideford's crime rate in September 2025 (7.8 per 1,000) represents an 11.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.8, a decline that may reflect the stabilisation of seasonal factors following the peak of summer activity. Over 30 days, the area recorded an average of 5 crimes per day, a figure that translates to roughly 1 reported crime for every 129 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though this is an aggregate measure and does not account for variations in daily activity patterns. When compared to the UK average, Bideford's slightly higher rate (7.8 vs 7.4) is offset by its significantly lower rates in several categories—vehicle crime, burglary, and public order offences are all below UK averages by margins ranging from 18% to 75%. This suggests that while the area faces challenges in managing violent and anti-social crime, it performs relatively well in areas typically associated with urban density and economic activity. The 1-in-129 resident figure, while modest, underscores the importance of maintaining community-focused policing initiatives to address the specific challenges identified in the data.