Hatherleigh Crime Rate

Hatherleigh is a very safe town with an overall crime rate of 48.9 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the town a high safety score of 88/100. The crime trend is remarkably stable, with a 0.0% change in recorded incidents over the past year. Property crime is particularly low at 11.1 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This data reflects the peaceful and secure nature of the Hatherleigh 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 Hatherleigh

In Hatherleigh, the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.2% of all recorded incidents (55 cases). This is followed by anti-social behaviour and drugs, both at 10.9%. 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 Hatherleigh occurs at a rate of 11.1 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This includes only 5 burglaries and no recorded vehicle crimes over the past year. For residents, this indicates a very high level of security for homes and personal assets. Specifically, shoplifting accounts for 5.0% of total crime, suggesting that opportunistic theft in the town's small commercial area 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 Hatherleigh

Hatherleigh has seen a remarkably stable crime rate over the past year, with a 0.0% change year-over-year. This indicates that the town is not experiencing any significant shifts in its safety profile, providing a consistent environment for its residents.

The monthly trendData for 2024 and 2025 shows that the crime rate has remained consistently low, often fluctuating between 2.5 and 6.6 per 1,000 residents. The year began with a rate of 4.1 in November 2024 and reached a low of 2.5 in February 2025. There were peaks of 6.6 in March and June 2025. These variations are typical for low-volume towns where even a few incidents can impact the monthly rate. Despite these occasional peaks, the overall trend is one of stability. Hatherleigh remains a very secure place to live, with a low overall frequency of criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Hatherleigh

The most common crime in Hatherleigh is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.2% 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 town or surrounding countryside, carrying a charged mobile phone and informing someone of your intended route are simple but effective precautions.

Drugs and anti-social behaviour are the next most common issues, both at 10.9%. 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 town'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 burglary peaks during the night-time hours, 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 Hatherleigh 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 Hatherleigh’s reputation as one of the safest places in the country.

Crime Timing in Hatherleigh

Crime in Hatherleigh follows a pattern that is closely tied to daylight and property activity. The most frequent times for crime are the afternoon (12pm to 6pm) and evening (6pm to 12am). During these periods, theft-related offences are a primary concern, accounting for 36% of incidents in the afternoon. 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 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 burglary, which accounts for 35% of all incidents during this time. This indicates that burglars often wait for the cover of darkness to target homes. Conversely, the early morning hours are the quietest, with very little recorded activity. Residents should focus their security efforts on securing their homes and ensuring all locks are engaged overnight. No vehicle crime was recorded during any time period.

Hatherleigh is part of a very safe cluster of towns in West Devon. Its crime rate of 48.9 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the nearby town of Okehampton (75.6) and compares favourably to smaller neighbours like North Tawton (39.1) and Winkleigh (42.0). For those looking for a safe and community-focused town life, Hatherleigh provides a secure and stable setting that is a benchmark for town security in the county. It offers a level of safety that is among the best in the region.

Protecting Your Property in Hatherleigh

While the property crime rate in Hatherleigh is very low at 11.1 per 1,000 residents, the quiet nature of the town 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 town streets. This proactive approach ensures that your home is not just monitored, but actively protected. In an area as safe as Hatherleigh, 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.