Princetown Crime Rate

Princetown is a very safe village with an overall crime rate of 51.0 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the village a high safety score of 88/100. The crime trend is notably positive, with a 34.8% decrease in recorded incidents over the past year. Property crime is also relatively low at 17.2 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This data reflects the unique and secure nature of the Princetown community. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of the crime types, timing, and trends to help you understand the local safety profile.

Crime in Princetown

In Princetown, the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 33.6% of all recorded incidents (36 cases). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 22.4% and vehicle crime at 14.0%. These figures reflect a low-volume crime environment, where a small number of incidents can represent a large percentage of the total.

Property crime in Princetown occurs at a rate of 17.2 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This includes 15 vehicle crimes but no recorded burglaries over the past year. For residents, this indicates a high level of security for homes, but a notable concern regarding vehicle safety. Specifically, vehicle crime accounts for 14.0% of total crime, which is higher than in many neighbouring areas. Maintaining good vehicle security is a wise precaution to keep these figures low and deter potential offenders. Ensuring that vehicles are properly secured is essential to maintaining the area's safety standards.

Crime Trends in Princetown

Princetown has seen a significant improvement in its safety profile over the past year, with total crime dropping by 34.8%. This sharp downward trend reinforces the area's reputation as a very safe place to live.

The monthly trendData for 2024 and 2025 shows that the crime rate has remained consistently low, often fluctuating between 0.5 and 7.6 per 1,000 residents. The year began with a rate of 3.8 in November 2024 and reached a low of 0.5 in January 2025. There was a peak of 7.6 in May 2025. These small variations are typical for low-volume villages where even a few incidents can impact the monthly rate. Despite these occasional fluctuations, the overall trend is one of significant improvement. Princetown remains a very secure place to live, with a low overall frequency of criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Princetown

The most common crime in Princetown is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 33.6% of incidents. While the overall volume of crime is very low, it is always wise to be aware of your personal safety. When walking in the village or surrounding moorland, carrying a charged mobile phone and informing someone of your intended route are simple but effective precautions.

Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue (22.4%). Residents can contribute to a safer community by reporting any such incidents to the local authorities, which helps in the effective deployment of community policing. In the village's public areas, staying aware of your surroundings and keeping personal items secure can help prevent the small number of opportunistic thefts that do occur.

Given that vehicle crime peaks during the night-time hours, make it a habit to double-check that all vehicle locks are secure and that no valuables are left inside before going to bed. These small actions help maintain the high level of safety that Princetown is known for. Using motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home can also help discourage unwanted visitors after dark. By maintaining these basic security habits, residents can help preserve Princetown’s reputation as one of the safest places in the country.

Crime Timing in Princetown

Crime in Princetown follows a pattern that is closely tied to daylight and property activity. The most frequent times for crime are the afternoon (12pm to 6pm) and evening (6pm to 12am). During these periods, theft-related offences and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns. This suggests that opportunistic incidents often occur when the village is most active.

As the day transitions into night (12am to 6am), the overall volume of crime decreases, but the risk of specific property offences increases. Night-time is the peak period for vehicle crime, which accounts for 67% of all incidents during this time. This is a significantly higher proportion than in other time periods. Conversely, the early morning hours are the quietest, with very little recorded activity. No burglary was recorded during any time period. Residents should focus their security efforts on ensuring vehicles are locked and valuables are removed overnight to mitigate the specific risk of vehicle crime.

Princetown is part of a very safe cluster of villages in West Devon. Its crime rate of 51.0 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the nearby town of Tavistock (60.7) and compares favourably to larger settlements like Okehampton (75.6). It is slightly more active than smaller neighbours like Horrabridge (36.9) and Yelverton (25.1). For those looking for a safe and community-focused village life in a unique moorland setting, Princetown provides a secure and stable environment that is a benchmark for village security in the county.

Protecting Your Property in Princetown

While the overall property crime rate in Princetown is low at 17.2 per 1,000 residents, the high rate of vehicle crime (14.0% of total crime) presents a specific security challenge. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it has happened, which is of limited use for vehicle theft or break-ins. For these properties, proactive protection is the most effective strategy.

AI-powered security systems like scOS are designed for this kind of environment. By monitoring the property boundary in real-time, scOS can detect a potential thief before they even reach your vehicle. Features like autonomous lighting and audio alerts can scare off a criminal immediately, while DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious cars on village streets. This proactive approach ensures that your home and vehicles are not just monitored, but actively protected. In an area as safe as Princetown, the goal is to maintain that security by ensuring your property is never seen as an easy opportunity for the few criminals that do operate.