Okehampton Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2024, Okehampton's crime rate stood at 9.4 per 1,000 residents, 22.1% above the UK average of 7.7. This figure underscores the area's position as a built-up zone within West Devon, where crime rates are consistently higher than the national average. The breakdown of crimes reveals a near-equal split between property and violent offences, a balance less common in larger urban centres where property crime typically dominates. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.3% of all crimes, a rate 21% above the UK average. This could be linked to the area's mix of residential and commercial activity, particularly during the Easter period, which saw increased foot traffic and outdoor events. Anti-social behaviour, at 22.2% of total crimes, was 72% above the UK average, suggesting a persistent challenge in managing public order in the area. The seasonal context of April—Easter, spring weather, and heightened outdoor activity—may have influenced patterns, with crimes such as anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime likely tied to temporary spikes in population movement. However, the absence of a significant month-on-month increase in overall crime (0.0% change) suggests that while specific categories fluctuated, the broader trend remained stable. This stability, combined with the unique balance between property and violent crime, illustrates a community where both types of crime coexist, reflecting the area's geography as a transitional space between rural and urban environments.

April 2024 saw a 700% increase in vehicle crime, jumping from one incident to eight. This sharp rise, though still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, may reflect seasonal patterns such as increased travel during the Easter period or changes in parking behavior. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common crime, at 22.2% of the total, with a 72% gap above the UK average—a figure that could be tied to the area's mix of residential and commercial zones. Conversely, burglary dropped by 42.9% compared to the previous month, due to heightened awareness during the Easter holiday period or reduced outdoor activity in the early spring. The balance between property (32 incidents) and violent crimes (30 incidents) suggests a unique dynamic in Okehampton, where neither category dominates, unlike many urban centres where property crime typically outweighs violent offences. This equilibrium may indicate a combination of local factors, such as the area's proximity to both rural and urban environments.

Okehampton's crime rate in April 2024 remained stable at 9.4 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's rate exactly. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in criminal activity over the period. Daily crime activity averaged three incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the built-up area's density and proximity to rural zones. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of one crime per 107 residents offers context for residents: over the course of the month, each individual had a roughly 1-in-107 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime. This figure is slightly higher than the UK average, though the local population's size and geographic spread may contribute to this disparity. The stability in overall crime rate contrasts with the significant fluctuations in specific categories, such as the 700% surge in vehicle crime, which highlights the need for targeted analysis of emerging trends rather than relying solely on aggregate statistics.