Bere Alston Crime Rate

Bere Alston is an exceptionally safe village with an overall crime rate of just 35.0 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the village a high safety score of 92/100. While the area has seen an increase of 13.5% in recorded incidents over the past year, it is important to note that this represents a small change in actual numbers due to the very low overall volume of crime. Property crime is particularly low at 13.5 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This data reflects the peaceful and secure nature of the Bere Alston community. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of the crime types, timing, and trends to help you understand the local safety profile.

Crime in Bere Alston

In Bere Alston, the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 40.4% of all recorded incidents (44 cases). This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 18.4% and anti-social behaviour at 13.8%. These figures reflect a very low-volume crime environment, where a small number of incidents can represent a large percentage of the total.

Property crime in Bere Alston occurs at a rate of 13.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This includes 8 burglaries and 4 vehicle crimes recorded over the past year. For residents, this indicates a high level of security for homes and personal assets. Specifically, burglary and 'other theft' each represent 7.3% of total crime, suggesting that while the risk is low, opportunistic property offences still occur. Maintaining basic home security is a wise precaution to keep these figures low and deter potential offenders. Ensuring that homes and vehicles are properly secured is essential to maintaining the area's high safety standards.

Crime Trends in Bere Alston

Bere Alston has seen an increase in its crime rate over the past year, with total crime rising by 13.5%. While this percentage increase is significant, it is important to understand it in the context of a very low-volume crime environment, where a few additional incidents can result in a large percentage change.

The monthly trendData for 2024 and 2025 shows that the crime rate has remained consistently low, often fluctuating between 1.0 and 7.1 per 1,000 residents. The year began with a rate of 7.1 in November 2024, which dropped significantly to 2.3 in December and January. There was a notable low of 1.0 in April 2025, followed by a peak of 3.9 in July. These small variations are typical for low-volume villages where even a few incidents can impact the monthly rate. Despite the year-over-year increase, Bere Alston remains an exceptionally secure place to live, with a very low overall frequency of criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Bere Alston

The most common crime in Bere Alston is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 40.4% of incidents. While the overall volume of crime is very low, it is always wise to be aware of your personal safety. When walking in the village or surrounding countryside, carrying a charged mobile phone and informing someone of your intended route are simple but effective precautions.

Criminal damage and arson is the second most common issue (18.4%). Residents can contribute to a safer community by reporting any such incidents to the local authorities, which helps in the effective deployment of community policing. In the village's public areas, staying aware of your surroundings and keeping personal items secure can help prevent the small number of opportunistic thefts that do occur.

Given that vehicle crime and burglary peak during the night-time hours, make it a habit to double-check that all doors, windows, and vehicle locks are secure before going to bed. These small actions help maintain the high level of safety that Bere Alston is known for. Using motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home can also help discourage unwanted visitors after dark. By maintaining these basic security habits, residents can help preserve Bere Alston’s reputation as one of the safest places in the country.

Crime Timing in Bere Alston

Crime in Bere Alston follows a pattern that is closely tied to daylight and property activity. The most frequent times for crime are the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm). During these periods, theft-related offences are the dominant crime type, accounting for 36% and 41% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic thefts often occur during the day when residents may be busy or away from the house.

As the day transitions into evening (6pm to 12am) and night (12am to 6am), the overall volume of crime decreases, but the risk of specific property offences increases. Night-time is the peak period for vehicle crime, which accounts for 36% of all incidents during this time. Burglary also maintains a steady presence at 17% during the night. Conversely, the early morning hours are the quietest, with very little recorded activity. Residents should focus their security efforts on securing outbuildings during the day and ensuring home and vehicle locks are engaged overnight.

Bere Alston is part of a very safe cluster of villages in West Devon. Its crime rate of 35.0 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the nearby market town of Tavistock (60.7) and larger settlements like Okehampton (75.6). It also compares favourably to smaller neighbours, offering a level of safety that is among the best in the region. For those looking for a safe and community-focused village life, Bere Alston provides a secure and stable setting that is a benchmark for village security in the county.

Protecting Your Property in Bere Alston

While the property crime rate in Bere Alston is exceptionally low at 13.5 per 1,000 residents, the quiet nature of the village can make homes targets for opportunistic theft. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it has happened, which is of limited use in a close-knit community where prevention is the priority. For these properties, proactive protection is the most effective strategy.

AI-powered security systems like scOS are designed for this kind of environment. By monitoring the property boundary in real-time, scOS can detect an intruder before they even reach the building. Features like autonomous lighting and audio alerts can scare off a potential thief immediately, while DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious cars on village lanes. This proactive approach ensures that your home is not just monitored, but actively protected. In an area as safe as Bere Alston, the goal is to maintain that security by ensuring your property is never seen as an easy opportunity for the few criminals that do operate.