Westward Ho! Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Westward Ho! continues to maintain a crime rate significantly below the UK average, with September 2025 recording 4.7 crimes per 1,000 residents—36.5% lower than the national figure of 7.4. This discrepancy reflects the area’s unique characteristics as a coastal built-up area within Torridge, where community cohesion and geographic isolation may contribute to lower crime rates. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 72% of all reported incidents, a figure that is 32% higher than the UK average for this category. This suggests that while the overall rate is low, the nature of crime in Westward Ho! leans heavily towards violent offences, potentially influenced by the social dynamics of a small, tight-knit community. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, remained 49% below the UK average, indicating a relatively lower incidence of disruptive conduct. Seasonal factors may also play a role in these patterns: September, with its return to education and the onset of cooler weather, could have contributed to the rise in violent crime, as evenings draw residents into public spaces. The low rate of property crimes, particularly the 60% deficit in other theft compared to the UK average, aligns with the area’s character as a tourist destination, where transient populations and limited commercial activity may reduce opportunities for such offences. These trends underscore the importance of contextualising crime data within the specific socioeconomic and geographic framework of Westward Ho!.

September 2025 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with violence and sexual offences increasing by 50% compared to August, rising from 12 to 18 incidents. This surge, while concerning, contrasts with the 75% decline in other theft, which dropped from four to one incident. The category of criminal damage and arson also saw a 100% increase, rising from zero to two reported cases, suggesting a potential uptick in deliberate property-related offences. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained significantly below the UK average, with a 49% deficit, indicating a relatively lower incidence of disruptive conduct. These fluctuations highlight the combination of seasonal factors—such as the return to school and university freshers’ week—which may contribute to heightened incidents of violence and property damage. Residents may find the 100% increase in drugs-related crimes particularly noteworthy, as it signals a new trend that warrants attention from local authorities.

Westward Ho! recorded 25 crimes in September 2025, marking a 31.7% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This rise, though modest, reflects shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day—a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in a small built-up area. When scaled to the population of 5,321 residents, the monthly exposure translates to one crime for every 213 people, a statistic that contextualises the impact of crime on individual households. This figure, though seemingly abstract, offers a tangible measure of risk for residents, particularly during peak times such as evenings or weekends. The population-scaled perspective also highlights how Westward Ho!’s crime rate, though below the UK average, remains a concern for a community of this size, where even minor fluctuations can have noticeable effects on perceived safety.