Okehampton Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Okehampton’s May 2024 crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents stood 31% below the UK average, a figure that underscores the area’s relatively low levels of criminal activity. The most significant outlier in the breakdown was possession of weapons, which occurred at a rate of 0.2 per 1,000—150% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This discrepancy, while not frequent, may be linked to the area’s proximity to regional transport routes or the presence of local industries that could contribute to such incidents. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 39.3% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.9%) and public order offences (12.5%). The seasonal context of May—marked by longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely played a role in shaping these patterns, with public order offences rising sharply amid heightened social interaction. However, the overall crime rate remains consistently lower than the UK average, suggesting that Okehampton’s built-up area within West Devon maintains a safer profile compared to many other regions. This may be influenced by its rural character, which typically correlates with lower crime rates, as well as the presence of community-focused policing initiatives that have not been explicitly mentioned in the data but are consistent with broader trends in similar areas.

Public order offences surged by 250% in May 2024, rising from 2 to 7 incidents—a stark contrast to the overall decline in crime rates. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, highlights a shift in the crime mix, with anti-social behaviour and violence remaining dominant. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 62.5% (from 8 to 3), and other theft dropped by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), suggesting possible improvements in retail security or reduced opportunities during May’s bank holidays. Possession of weapons in Okehampton was 150% above the UK average, a category that, while not frequent, raises specific concerns. These findings reflect a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics, with the area’s rural character potentially influencing both the types and frequencies of reported crimes.

Okehampton’s crime rate in May 2024 fell by 37.8% compared to April 2024, dropping from 9.4 to 5.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with broader seasonal trends, as May’s longer evenings and bank holidays may have shifted activity patterns, reducing opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 9,614. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 172 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area of West Devon. When contextualised against the UK average, Okehampton’s overall crime rate remains 31% below the national figure, underscoring the area’s consistent performance in maintaining public safety. This population-scaled perspective suggests that even minor fluctuations in crime numbers may have limited impact on residents’ daily lives, though specific categories like public order offences show notable deviations.