Okehampton Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences in Okehampton during May 2025 stood at 2.2 per 1,000 residents, 22% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. This category alone accounted for 45.7% of the area’s total 46 reported crimes, making it the most prevalent type of crime. The overall crime rate for the built-up area was 4.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 40.7% below the UK’s national average of 8.1 per 1,000. While property crimes made up 28.3% of the total (13 cases), violent crimes dominated the crime picture, reflecting a pattern consistent with small rural communities where interpersonal conflicts may feature more prominently. Seasonal factors may partly explain this trend, as May’s extended evenings and bank holidays could have increased socialising in public spaces, contributing to higher reports of violence. Other notable categories included public order offences (13.0% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (13.0%), both of which were significantly below UK averages. The data suggests a crime profile shaped by the area’s character: a small town with limited commercial density, where community dynamics and seasonal rhythms appear to influence crime patterns more directly than in larger urban centres.

Shoplifting saw a 200% increase month-on-month, rising from 2 to 6 incidents. This surge, while still below the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000, raises questions about local retail security measures or changes in consumer behaviour. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 62.5% (from 8 to 3 cases), marking a sharp decline that may reflect improved community policing efforts or seasonal shifts in vandalism activity. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category, decreased by 19.2% compared to the previous month (26 to 21 cases), possibly due to a combination of targeted interventions and the natural variability of such crimes. The crime mix also shifted: violent crimes now represent 45.7% of all incidents, compared to 28.3% for property crimes, indicating a move towards a more violent crime profile. This shift is consistent with the area’s seasonal context, as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity in May may have created conditions more conducive to interpersonal crime. Anti-social behaviour fell by 14.3% (from 7 to 6 cases), remaining 58% below the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000, a figure that suggests local initiatives or community engagement efforts may be effectively addressing such issues.

Okehampton’s crime rate in May 2025 dropped 22.1% compared to the previous month’s rate of 6.1 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained period of lower crime activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that underscores the relatively low level of criminal activity compared to larger urban areas. When scaled to the local population of 9,614 residents, this translates to one reported crime for every 209 residents over the course of the month, a statistic that may be particularly meaningful for residents seeking to contextualise their personal risk. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which would require a much larger population to achieve similar figures. The decline in the overall rate appears to be driven by reductions in violent crimes and criminal damage, though the sharp rise in shoplifting suggests that certain sectors of the local economy may be facing unique challenges. These figures, when viewed through the lens of Okehampton’s small-town character, highlight the area’s ability to maintain lower crime levels despite seasonal factors that might otherwise contribute to higher incidents of public order or property crime.