For residents of Okehampton, the August 2024 crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents translates to a 1-in-128 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. This rate, 4.9% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, suggests a relatively safer environment compared to the national picture. However, the distribution of crime types reveals a distinct local profile. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 32 cases (42.7% of total crimes), significantly above the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed with 15 incidents (1.6 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson accounted for 8 cases (0.8 per 1,000), both above their respective UK averages. This pattern may be partly explained by August’s role as a peak holiday month, when increased tourism and the presence of transient populations could contribute to disturbances. The seasonal context also aligns with the observed rise in burglary cases, as empty homes during the summer months may present opportunities for opportunistic offenders. Conversely, public order offences, while significantly higher in August, were not consistently linked to UK averages, indicating a unique local dynamic. These findings highlight the importance of considering both national benchmarks and local conditions when assessing risk.