Westward Ho! Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Westward Ho!, a coastal resort town in Devon, recorded a crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents in November 2023—74.7% below the UK average of 7.5. This stark contrast with national figures underscores the area's unique security profile, shaped by its small population, compact geography, and seasonal rhythms. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences (3 cases, 30% of total), followed by criminal damage and arson (2 cases, 20%) and other theft (2 cases, 20%). These patterns align with the town's characteristics: violent incidents may be influenced by the local nightlife, while property crimes reflect the impact of seasonal events such as Bonfire Night and Black Friday. The low crime rate is consistent with coastal resorts, where transient populations and strong community policing often contribute to safer environments. However, the data also reveals seasonal volatility: November's shorter evenings and colder weather may have reduced opportunities for anti-social behaviour, while increased foot traffic during shopping events could explain the rise in other theft cases. The town's crime profile illustrates a balance between local factors—such as the presence of a small retail sector—and broader UK trends, with Westward Ho! maintaining a safety record that is markedly better than the national average.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in 'other theft,' which surged by 100% (0 to 2 cases). This jump, though small in absolute terms, suggests a potential shift in criminal focus during November, possibly linked to Black Friday shopping or seasonal retail patterns. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 71.4% (7 to 2 cases), a decline that may reflect the impact of shorter evenings and colder weather reducing public congregation in town centres. Violence and sexual offences rose by 50% (2 to 3 cases), though they remain 77% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The town's 'other crime' category also doubled from 0 to 1 case, a category that includes unclassified incidents and may warrant closer scrutiny. These shifts illustrate the volatility of crime patterns in a coastal resort, where seasonal events can influence both offender behaviour and police visibility.

Westward Ho!'s crime rate in November 2023 fell by 33.3% compared to the previous month, dropping from 2.8 to 1.9 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns in coastal areas, where reduced tourist activity and shorter daylight hours may contribute to lower crime visibility. Daily crime counts averaged 0.33 incidents per day, a figure that underscores the area's overall safety relative to UK averages. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 532 residents—a statistic that, when contextualised against the town's population of 5,321, highlights the low frequency of incidents. This monthly exposure rate is particularly striking when compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, demonstrating a marked divergence in local crime dynamics. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that residents face significantly lower risks of victimisation than the national average, a factor likely influenced by the town's compact size and strong community networks.