West Devon Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2025, West Devon recorded 224 crimes across a population of 58,923, translating to a crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 45.7% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to the national trend. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 48.2% of all reported incidents (108 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (12.1%) and anti-social behaviour (10.3%). These patterns align with the area's character as a largely rural district with smaller communities, where violent crime may be influenced by local dynamics such as seasonal gatherings or isolated incidents. The December timeframe, marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the holiday season, likely contributes to increased opportunities for certain crimes. Violence and sexual offences in West Devon are 30% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 57% below the national figure, suggesting effective community policing or environmental factors that mitigate such offences. The relatively low rate of property crimes, such as vehicle crime (73% below UK average) and shoplifting (47% below), may be linked to West Devon's rural nature, where commercial centres are less concentrated. However, the rise in other theft and possession of weapons highlights areas requiring further attention. The seasonal context of December, with its empty homes and increased retail activity, may explain some fluctuations, though the overall crime picture remains distinct from more densely populated urban areas.

December 2025 saw a 125% increase in other theft, rising from 8 to 18 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in both possession of weapons and theft from the person, highlights emerging patterns in criminal activity. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 36.1%, and burglary dropped by 57.1%, indicating potential shifts in focus by offenders. Violent crimes, which accounted for 48.2% of all reported incidents, remained 30% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. The significant decline in anti-social behaviour—down from 36 to 23 cases—may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced public gatherings during the holiday period. For residents, the sharp rise in other theft (now 0.3 per 1,000) is a key data point, suggesting heightened vigilance may be warranted in specific areas or contexts.

West Devon's crime rate in December 2025 remained stable at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's rate with a 0.8% change. This consistency suggests no significant short-term fluctuations in criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 7 crimes per day, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 263 residents over the course of the month. Given West Devon's population of 58,923, this rate underscores the relatively low frequency of crime compared to the UK average. The monthly exposure metric—1-in-263 residents—provides a tangible sense of how crime is distributed across the area. While the overall rate is stable, the breakdown of crime types reveals shifts in specific categories, such as the notable increase in other theft and the sharp decline in anti-social behaviour, which will be explored further in the highlights section.