Okehampton Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Okehampton’s crime mix in January 2026 reveals a combination of violent and property-related offences, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 40.4% of total crimes. This proportion, while higher than the UK average for this category (2.5 per 1,000), underscores the area’s distinct profile compared to the national trend, where property crimes often outpace violent incidents. The overall crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents—27.9% below the UK average of 6.8—reflects Okehampton’s status as a relatively low-crime built-up area within West Devon. Seasonal factors likely influenced the balance: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall may have curtailed opportunities for theft and fraud, while leaving more vulnerable windows for property crimes such as burglary. The area’s low crime rate, despite a slight uptick in burglaries and criminal damage, aligns with its character as a rural-urban hybrid, where community cohesion and limited commercial density may deter certain types of crime. Violent crimes decreased by 26.9% compared to December 2025, a shift that may correlate with the area’s quieter seasonal rhythm and fewer public events in January. This mix of crime types, though modest in scale, highlights the importance of targeted policing strategies that address both violent and property-related concerns, particularly in maintaining the area’s current low-crime status.

January 2026 saw a 500% surge in burglaries, jumping from 1 to 6 incidents, a stark contrast to the previous month. This spike may reflect post-holiday vulnerabilities, such as homes left unoccupied during the festive period. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson doubled, reaching 8 cases—a 100% increase—while drug-related crimes also rose by 100%, from 0 to 3 incidents. These trends suggest a shift in criminal activity toward property and substance-related offences. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 50%, from 4 to 2, possibly due to reduced traffic or more cautious parking habits during shorter daylight hours. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category (40.4% of total crimes), decreased by 26.9%, a decline that may align with seasonal factors such as fewer social gatherings in colder weather. Residents might find the 40.4% share of violent crimes particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a persistent focus on personal safety measures in the area.

Okehampton’s crime rate in January 2026 rose 4.5% compared to December 2025, from 4.7 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents. While this small increase may reflect seasonal fluctuations, the daily crime context remains low: just 2 crimes reported each day across the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 205 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime per 150 residents. The population-scaled perspective underscores that Okehampton’s crime profile, though slightly higher than the previous month, remains well below national benchmarks. This suggests that the area’s unique characteristics—such as its rural-urban mix and lower population density—likely contribute to its consistently lower crime rates compared to larger urban centres.