Okehampton Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Okehampton, the crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents in August 2023 translates to a daily risk of approximately 2 crimes reported across the built-up area. This rate is 32.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a disparity consistent with the area's rural character and lower population density. The most common crime category was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 28.3% of all reported incidents (15 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (20.8%, 11 cases) and violence and sexual offences (18.9%, 10 cases). These patterns align with seasonal factors typical of August, a peak holiday month when tourism and seasonal property vacancies may influence crime dynamics. While anti-social behaviour and criminal damage saw notable rates, they remain below UK averages for most categories. The area's relatively low violent crime rate—62% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences—suggests a community profile with lower exposure to high-risk environments compared to major urban centres. This data reflects a balance between the area's rural tranquillity and the occasional spikes in property-related offences linked to seasonal activity.

August 2023 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, with shoplifting tripling from 1 to 3 incidents (+200%) and criminal damage and arson rising by 120% (5 to 11 cases). These jumps contrast with notable decreases in vehicle crime (-71.4%, 7 to 2) and violence and sexual offences (-23.1%, 13 to 10), though the latter still remain 62% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, the most frequent category, was 11% above the UK average (1.6 vs 1.4 per 1,000), a discrepancy that may reflect local factors such as community events or transient populations during the holiday season. The surge in criminal damage and arson—75% above the UK average—raises questions about unoccupied properties during August, a time when holiday homes and seasonal vacancies may increase burglary risks. Meanwhile, vehicle crime plummeted to 0.2 per 1,000, 59% below the UK average, linked to reduced traffic volume during school holidays or increased vehicle security measures. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the rise in anti-social behaviour, which accounted for nearly a third of all reported crimes and was higher than the UK average for this category.

Okehampton's crime rate in August 2023 (5.5 per 1,000) was 6.0% higher than the previous month's rate of 5.2 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, this translates to roughly 2 crimes reported per day across the area's 9,614 residents, a figure that places the built-up area within the lower end of the UK's crime spectrum. Over the course of the month, the average resident faced a 1-in-181 chance of being directly involved in a reported crime—a statistic that underscores the area's generally low crime environment. This monthly exposure rate is particularly significant when compared to UK averages, where the equivalent figure would likely be much higher. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the relative safety of Okehampton, with its crime rate remaining well below the UK average across most categories. While the increase in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage may concern some residents, the broader context of Okehampton's low overall rate suggests that the area remains significantly safer than the national average. This contrast is most pronounced in violent crime, where the area's rate is 62% below the UK average, indicating a community profile that likely prioritises public safety through local initiatives or geographic factors.