Dousland Crime Rate

Dousland is an exceptionally safe village with an overall crime rate of just 23.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the village a high safety score of 95/100. While the area has seen an increase of 22.2% 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 8.4 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This data reflects the peaceful and secure nature of the Dousland 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 Dousland

In Dousland, the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 36.4% of all recorded incidents (12 cases). This is followed by 'other theft' at 21.2% and anti-social behaviour at 18.2%. 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 Dousland occurs at a rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This includes only 7 cases of 'other theft' and 1 shoplifting incident, with no recorded burglaries or vehicle crimes over the past year. For residents, this indicates a very high level of security for homes and personal assets. Specifically, 'other theft' accounts for 21.2% of total crime, suggesting that opportunistic theft is the primary property-related concern. Maintaining basic home security is a wise precaution to keep these figures low and deter potential offenders. Ensuring that homes are properly secured is essential to maintaining the area's high safety standards.

Crime Trends in Dousland

Dousland has seen an increase in its crime rate over the past year, with total crime rising by 22.2%. 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 0.7 and 3.5 per 1,000 residents. The year began with a rate of 3.5 in November 2024 and reached a low of 0.7 in September 2025. There were peaks of 3.5 in May and 2.8 in October 2025. 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, Dousland remains an exceptionally secure place to live, with a very low overall frequency of criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Dousland

The most common crime in Dousland is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 36.4% 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.

'Other theft' is the second most common crime (21.2%). 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 the low overall crime rate, basic security habits can go a long way. Make it a habit to double-check that all doors and windows are secure before going to bed. These small actions help maintain the high level of safety that Dousland 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 Dousland’s reputation as one of the safest places in the country.

Crime Timing in Dousland

Crime in Dousland 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 74% and 78% 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 nature of the offences changes. Night-time is the peak period for other general offences, which account for 66% of incidents during this time. Theft also maintains a steady presence at 34% 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 locks are engaged overnight. No violence, burglary, or vehicle crime was recorded during any time period.

Dousland is part of a very safe cluster of villages in West Devon. Its crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the nearby town of Tavistock (60.7) and larger settlements like Princetown (51.0). It is also safer than nearby Horrabridge (36.9) and compares favourably to Yelverton (25.1). For those looking for a safe and community-focused village life, Dousland provides a secure and stable setting that is a benchmark for village security in the county. It offers a level of safety that is among the best in the region. No crime was recorded in nearby Crapstone or Buckland Monachorum, further highlighting the area's safety.

Protecting Your Property in Dousland

While the property crime rate in Dousland is exceptionally low at 8.4 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 Dousland, 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.