Winkleigh Crime Rate

Winkleigh is an exceptionally safe settlement with an overall crime rate of 42.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This secure standing is reflected in its high safety score of 89/100, well above the national average of 78. While the area remains very safe, there has been an increasing trend in crime, with a 19.5% rise year-over-year. This data provides a comprehensive overview of the local safety landscape, showing that Winkleigh continues to be one of the most secure places to live in the region, with crime levels consistently remaining far below national norms.

In Winkleigh, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 42.4% of all reported incidents, or 17.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. Burglary is the second most common at 14.1%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 13.0%. Property crime overall—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—occurs at a rate of 15.5 per 1,000 people. Burglary is a particularly significant component of property-related offences in the area, making up 14.1% of the town's total crime. Although the vehicle crime rate is low (2.2%), the overall property crime figures suggest that residents should stay alert to burglary and property damage, particularly in an area with a high safety score.

The crime trend in Winkleigh is currently on an upward trajectory, with a 19.5% increase over the last 12 months. Analysis of monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents reached its highest point in May 2025 at 5.9, followed by July at 5.0. The lowest crime levels were observed in December 2024, with a rate of 0.9. While the overall crime rate remains very low compared to national averages, the increasing trend suggests that residents should remain vigilant and consider maintaining good security practices as local crime patterns evolve.

How To Keep Safe in Winkleigh

The most common crime in Winkleigh is violence and sexual offences. While the town is generally very safe, it is important to take sensible precautions to ensure your personal security:

1. When walking at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid unlit or isolated areas, particularly around the town's outskirts.
2. Be aware of your surroundings in public places, and if possible, travel with friends or family during the evening.
3. Keep your personal belongings secure and out of sight in public places to prevent opportunistic theft.
4. If you witness any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour, report it to the local police to help them maintain the town's safety.
5. For business owners, ensure your premises have clear sightlines and robust security to deter anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

Crime timing in Winkleigh shows a distinct temporal pattern throughout the day. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft, accounting for 35% and 31% of incidents respectively, which aligns with daytime activity. As the day transitions into the evening and night, the crime profile shifts significantly. While overall volume may be lower, burglary becomes much more prevalent, reaching 42% in the evening and peaking at 54% during the night-time hours (12am - 6am). This suggests that while daytime is prone to opportunistic theft, the late-night hours carry a substantially higher relative risk for property-targeted offences like burglary.

In the local context of Torridge, Winkleigh is one of the safer urban settlements. With a crime rate of 42.0 per 1,000 residents, it is considerably more secure than Hatherleigh, which has a rate of 48.8. It has a slightly higher crime rate than Chulmleigh (37.6) and North Tawton (39.1). While the village of Dolton reports a crime rate of 0.0, this is due to its much smaller population. Winkleigh offers a highly secure residential environment that is much better than the national average, making it a preferred choice for safety-conscious residents.

Winkleigh's property crime rate of 15.5 per 1,000 residents indicates a low risk, but the 19.5% upward trend and the fact that burglary accounts for 14.1% of all incidents suggest that homeowners should remain vigilant. Traditional security systems are often reactive; they might record a video of someone on your property, but they don't stop them from acting. For those seeking real protection, scOS offers a proactive solution. Using advanced AI, scOS monitors all your cameras simultaneously to detect threats at the property boundary, not after a break-in has occurred. This allows the system to intervene autonomously, using lights and speakers to deter potential criminals before they can act. In an area like Winkleigh, where burglary peaks at night, a system that prevents crime through boundary detection is far more effective than standard DIY recording systems.