Okehampton Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of around 9,600 residents, Okehampton recorded 60 crimes in September 2023, translating to a crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 people. This figure places the area 22.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a notable achievement given the broader national context. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40% of the total, followed by anti-social behaviour (31.7%) and criminal damage (15%). The seasonal context of September—back-to-school periods, university freshers arriving, and the transition to shorter evenings—may have influenced these patterns. Anti-social behaviour, for instance, could be linked to increased social activity in public spaces as students return to the area. However, the surge in violence and sexual offences, which rose 140% compared to August, remains an outlier. This increase may reflect the convergence of seasonal factors and local dynamics, such as heightened youth presence or changes in community interactions. Meanwhile, the relatively low rates of burglary (0.3 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) suggest that Okehampton’s built-up area, situated within West Devon, may benefit from lower foot traffic or stronger community cohesion compared to larger urban centres. The balance between property and violent crimes also highlights a distinct profile, with violent incidents dominating the crime mix. This pattern may be consistent with Okehampton’s character as a smaller, mixed-use town where interpersonal conflicts and social tensions play a more prominent role in shaping crime trends.

September 2023 saw a stark surge in violence and sexual offences, which jumped by 140% from 10 to 24 incidents. This category, now accounting for 40% of all crimes, remains 9% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Simultaneously, anti-social behaviour increased by 26.7%, reflecting a troubling trend in community disturbances. Burglary also rose sharply, doubling from 0 to 3 incidents—a 100% increase. This contrasts with declines in other theft (-75%), shoplifting (-66.7%), and vehicle crime (-50%), suggesting shifting priorities among offenders. The rise in violent crime may partly explain the 26.7% increase in anti-social behaviour, as heightened tensions in public spaces could contribute to both. Residents might find the 140% jump in violence particularly concerning, given its impact on local safety perceptions.

Okehampton’s crime rate in September 2023 rose 13.2% from the previous month’s 5.5 per 1,000 to 6.2 per 1,000. This translates to roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a town of 9,614 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 160 residents, a metric that highlights the relative frequency of incidents within the local population. While the overall rate remains 22.5% below the UK average, the month-on-month increase suggests a shift in local dynamics. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the rise, Okehampton’s crime burden is still significantly lower than the national average. This contrast underscores the area’s unique characteristics, possibly influenced by its rural-urban mix and seasonal rhythms. The daily crime context provides a tangible measure for residents, illustrating that while the rate has climbed, the absolute number of incidents remains manageable within the town’s population size.