Okehampton Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Okehampton's crime rate in December 2024 remained 38% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000 residents, recording 4.4 crimes per 1,000 people. This built-up area within West Devon, known for its rural character and proximity to Exeter, continues to demonstrate a consistently lower crime profile than national benchmarks. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences (17 incidents, 40.5% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (8 incidents, 19.1%) and other theft (4 incidents, 9.5%). These patterns align with seasonal dynamics typical of December, when extended dark evenings and holiday-related activities may increase interpersonal tensions. While violence rates in Okehampton (1.8 per 1,000) were 30% below the UK average for this category, anti-social behaviour (0.8 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.3 per 1,000) also showed significant gaps from national figures. The area's relatively low levels of property crime—particularly shoplifting (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000)—suggest a community profile less reliant on retail or transport hubs, which may contribute to this disparity. This month's data reinforces the broader trend that Okehampton's crime profile, shaped by its rural-urban balance and local demographics, remains distinct from major urban centres.

December 2024 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson tripling from 1 to 3 incidents (+200%). This increase may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased property maintenance during colder weather or heightened social gatherings in public spaces. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 80% (5 to 1), likely due to reduced retail activity during Christmas holidays and stricter store security measures. Drug-related offences doubled from 1 to 2 incidents, a rise that could be linked to increased social mixing during festive events. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences both decreased by two-thirds, influenced by community initiatives or heightened police presence during the holiday season. The breakdown also highlights Okehampton's continued underperformance against UK averages in several categories: shoplifting (82% below), public order offences (78% below), and vehicle crime (75% below). These figures suggest a local environment with fewer opportunities for petty theft and public disorder, due to lower population density and stronger community cohesion. For residents, the 40.5% share of violence and sexual offences underscores the need for targeted community safety measures, even as the area maintains its overall low crime standing.

Okehampton's crime rate in December 2024 remained stable at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, matching the same figure recorded in November. This consistency suggests no immediate spikes or declines in criminal activity over the month. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 9,614 residents. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for every 229 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low compared to larger urban areas. This statistic places Okehampton firmly within the safest localities in the UK, where crime is so infrequent that most residents will go months without encountering any incident. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates the area's safety: with 42 total crimes, the rate translates to just 0.44% of the population being directly affected. This low level of criminal activity, combined with the area's rural-urban balance, suggests a community with strong social networks and effective local policing. While the UK average crime rate is 7.1 per 1,000, Okehampton's performance highlights the impact of local factors such as lower population density, community engagement, and the absence of high-risk environments like major transport hubs or large retail centres.