Rural Torridge Crime Rate

Rural Torridge is characterised by an exceptionally low crime rate of 35.1 per 1,000 residents, earning it an impressive safety score of 91/100. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.1, highlighting the area as one of the safer regions in the country. Despite this positive standing, the recent trend direction is increasing, with a 14.2% year-over-year rise in recorded incidents. This data provides a comprehensive overview of the local safety landscape, offering residents and prospective homeowners clear context regarding the frequency and nature of crime in this rural settlement.

In Rural Torridge, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 48.6% of all recorded incidents with 41.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows at 14.0%, while criminal damage and arson make up 9.6% of the local total. When considering property-related crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—the rate stands at a very low 8.8 per 1,000 people. This suggests that while personal offences are the most frequent, the risk to physical assets and homes remains significantly below national norms. For residents, this means that while the area is exceptionally safe overall, maintaining standard home security and personal awareness remains important to mitigate the few property-related risks that do exist.

The crime trend in Rural Torridge is currently on an upward trajectory, with a 14.2% increase over the last 12 months. Analysis of the monthly trend data reveals that the crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in May 2025 at 4.0, followed by a slight decline and then relative stability through the autumn months. The lowest point in the recent cycle was January 2025, with a rate of 2.1. While an increasing trend can be concerning, it is important to note that the overall rates remain exceptionally low in comparison to national averages. This slight rise may reflect broader regional shifts or specific local incidents rather than a fundamental change in the area's safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Torridge

The most prevalent crime type in Rural Torridge is violence and sexual offences. While the overall crime rate is low, personal safety remains a priority. To enhance your security:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking alone, especially in more isolated rural footpaths or during the hours of darkness.
2. Ensure your home is secure even when you are inside; use door chains and keep ground-floor windows locked to prevent opportunistic entry.
3. If you are out in the evening, try to stay in well-lit areas and let someone know your expected return time.
4. Utilise personal safety apps on your smartphone that can share your location with trusted contacts in an emergency.
5. Report any suspicious behaviour or individuals loitering in residential areas to the local police to help maintain the community's high safety standards.

In Rural Torridge, crime patterns show distinct variations throughout the day. Morning and afternoon periods are most heavily associated with theft-related offences, accounting for 53% and 55% of crimes in those periods respectively. As the day progresses into the evening, 'other' crime types become more dominant, making up 53% of incidents. The night-time hours (12am - 6am) see a significant shift in the crime profile; while overall volume is lower, burglary reaches its peak intensity, representing 24% of night-time reports, and vehicle crime also spikes to 19%. This suggests that while daytime activity is driven by opportunistic theft, the night-time hours are more prone to targeted property and vehicle offences.

When comparing Rural Torridge to nearby settlements, it stands out as a particularly safe haven. Its crime rate of 35.1 per 1,000 residents is considerably lower than Bideford, which experiences 92.1 crimes per 1,000, and Great Torrington at 63.0. Even compared to Westward Ho! (47.4) and Northam (40.2), Rural Torridge offers a more secure environment. For those looking for the lowest possible crime figures in the Torridge local authority, Rural Torridge provides a distinct advantage over the more densely populated urban areas, making it a preferred choice for safety-conscious residents.

With a property crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents, Rural Torridge is statistically very safe, but the 14.2% upward trend suggests that homeowners should not be complacent. Traditional security systems often fail because they are reactive; a Ring doorbell might show you a video of someone taking your delivery, but it doesn't stop them. For true peace of mind in a rural setting, proactive protection is essential. scOS represents the next generation of home security by using AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously. It doesn't just record; it detects threats at your property boundary. By identifying unauthorised presence and using autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area like Rural Torridge, where police response times may be longer due to geography, a system that prevents crime before it happens is the most effective way to protect your home and family.