Local Area Crime Statistics

West Devon Crime Rate

Crime is decreasing and LOW in West Devon

West Devon's crime rate is 44.5 per 1,000, significantly below the UK average, with a high safety score of 89/100 and a decreasing trend.

Overall Crime Rate

44.5
per 1,000 people
52% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

12.4
per 1,000 people
63% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 58,923 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for West Devon

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in West Devon
Overall Crime Rate44.5 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate12.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score89 out of 100
Population58,923
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in West Devon
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences1,1772045%
Anti-social behaviour4026.815%
Criminal damage and arson2614.410%
Other theft2103.68%
Public order1522.66%
Burglary931.64%
Shoplifting891.53%
Other crime681.13%
Drugs631.12%
Vehicle crime6012%
Possession of weapons270.51%
Theft from the person110.20%
Bicycle theft30.10%
Robbery200%

West Devon Crime Statistics Overview

West Devon reports an overall crime rate of 44.5 per 1,000 people per year, which is considerably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to West Devon's impressive safety score of 89 out of 100, significantly above the national average of 78. Recent data indicates a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 6.1% year-over-year. These figures suggest West Devon is a notably safer area compared to many other regions across the United Kingdom, providing a reassuring context for residents and visitors.

West Devon Safety Score

89
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

West Devon has a good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across West Devon

Okehampton

75.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Tavistock

58.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Hatherleigh

48.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Princetown

46.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Lifton

40.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

North Tawton

40.3
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Bere Alston

37.3
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Horrabridge

34.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Yelverton

25.1
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

South Zeal

24.1
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Dousland

22.4
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Mary Tavy

20.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About West Devon's Crime Landscape

West Devon is characterised by its predominantly rural and suburban landscape, encompassing a mix of market towns, villages, and vast stretches of Dartmoor National Park. The area's lower population density, compared to more urban centres, naturally contributes to a reduced overall crime rate. Key activities often revolve around agriculture, local tourism, and independent businesses, rather than large industrial operations or extensive nightlife, which can typically be associated with higher crime figures. The population tends to be more settled, with fewer transient groups, fostering stronger community ties that often play a role in local safety and crime prevention. Economic factors, such as a stable local economy and strong community engagement, also help maintain West Devon's favourable safety score.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
1,177 incidents (20 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
402 incidents (6.8 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
261 incidents (4.4 per 1,000)
Other theft
210 incidents (3.6 per 1,000)
Public order
152 incidents (2.6 per 1,000)
Burglary
93 incidents (1.6 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
89 incidents (1.5 per 1,000)
Other crime
68 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Drugs
63 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
60 incidents (1 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
27 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
11 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
3 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)
Robbery
2 incidents (0 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 10.8% change(over 12 months)
West Devon
UK Average

Compare West Devon with similar populations

West Devon has a 52.4% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in West Devon

An analysis of crime types in West Devon reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the largest category, accounting for 45.0% of all reported crimes with 20.0 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most prevalent, making up 15.4% of incidents (6.8 per 1000), while Criminal damage and arson is the third highest at 10.0% (4.4 per 1,000). Looking at property-related crime more broadly, which includes burglary, other theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage and arson, the rate stands at 12.4 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, while the overall property crime rate is low, remaining vigilant against these types of offences is still advisable, particularly concerning criminal damage and general theft, even in a generally safe area like West Devon.

Crime Trends in West Devon

West Devon has experienced a positive trend in its crime statistics, with a year-over-year decrease of 6.1%. This downward trajectory suggests an improvement in the area's safety profile. Reviewing the monthly trend data, crime rates per 1,000 people have fluctuated, with figures generally remaining low. For instance, rates were 3.7 in October 2024 and December 2024, dropping to 3.1 in February 2025 before rising slightly to 4.7 in July 2025, then settling at 3.3 by September 2025. This indicates that while there are minor monthly variations, the overall trend over the past year points towards a safer environment. Residents can take reassurance from this consistent reduction in overall crime, suggesting that local efforts in community safety and policing are having a positive impact.

West Devon Compared to Nearby Areas

When comparing West Devon to its neighbouring areas, its favourable crime statistics become even clearer. West Devon's overall crime rate of 44.5 per 1,000 is considerably lower than that of Plymouth, which, as a larger urban centre, typically experiences higher crime volumes. Compared to other local authority districts such as Teignbridge, Torridge, South Hams, Exeter, and Mid Devon, West Devon generally maintains a lower crime rate and a higher safety score. This regional context highlights West Devon as a particularly safe choice for those considering living in the area, offering a more tranquil environment compared to some of its more densely populated or urbanised neighbours.

Enhancing Your Security in West Devon

Given West Devon's relatively low property crime rate of 12.4 per 1,000, significantly below the UK average, residents are in a strong position to maintain their security. However, proactive protection remains key. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, offering a reactive record rather than preventing the incident. If you are seeking real protection, consider advanced solutions like scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. This system detects threats at your property boundary, rather than just recording an event after a break-in. Multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, and features like DVLA vehicle verification and pattern learning allow it to distinguish between genuine threats and routine activities. The autonomous response, including activating lights and speakers, can destroy an element of surprise for potential intruders, making them move on within the crucial 60-second decision window. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade equipment like scOS signals serious protection, offering a proactive approach to safeguarding your home and belongings in West Devon.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for West Devon

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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