Westward Ho! Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Westward Ho!, a coastal resort in Devon, recorded a crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 in November 2025 — 61.6% below the UK average of 7.3. This stark contrast reflects the area’s small population and transient tourism-driven economy, which may partly explain the low overall crime rate. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 80% of all reported incidents, though this category remained 11% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The breakdown also showed a sharp decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell to 6.7% of total crimes from 80% in the previous month, suggesting a potential shift in local activity patterns. Seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and the early onset of dark evenings likely influenced crime dynamics. The low rates of property crime (just 1 incident) and the absence of theft from the person — a common issue in tourist-heavy areas — further highlight the unique characteristics of this built-up area. While the overall crime rate remains exceptionally low, the presence of violence-related offences, even at reduced levels, underscores the need for continued community engagement and policing focus in this small coastal community.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in criminal damage and arson, which saw a 100% increase from zero to one incident in November. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may be linked to seasonal events such as Bonfire Night, which often coincides with increased fire risks in residential areas. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 83.3%, from six to one incident, marking the most significant decline across all categories. This could reflect a reduction in public gatherings during the early evening, influenced by the shorter daylight hours typical of November. Violence and sexual offences, while still the dominant crime type (80% of total), fell by 14.3% from 14 to 12 incidents — a decrease that aligns with historical trends showing lower violent crime rates during the winter months. The area’s rate of violence and sexual offences (2.3 per 1,000) remains 11% below the UK average, suggesting local factors such as the community’s compact size and active policing may contribute to this divergence. These shifts highlight the complex relationship between seasonal events, community dynamics, and crime patterns in a coastal resort setting.

November 2025’s crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 represents a 42.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.9 per 1,000, illustrating a marked improvement in local safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 0 crimes per day — a figure that, while statistically precise, may be less intuitive for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 355 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of criminal incidents in this small community. When scaled to the population of 5,321, this means that the likelihood of any individual being directly affected by crime is exceptionally low, though the presence of violence-related offences remains a concern. The UK-wide average of 7.3 per 1,000 serves as a stark contrast, highlighting Westward Ho!’s position as an outlier in terms of safety. This disparity may be attributed to the area’s unique characteristics: a compact built-up area with limited commercial activity, minimal public transport, and a transient population of tourists and seasonal residents. These factors, combined with the local police force’s focus on community engagement, likely contribute to the sustained low crime rates observed in this coastal resort.