Devizes Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Devizes, a historic market town in Wiltshire, maintained a crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents in October 2025—9.1% below the UK average. This performance reflects a combination of seasonal factors and local characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 47.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 24.0%, highlighting a persistent challenge in managing public order. While the overall rate remains lower than the UK average, the proportion of violent crimes is higher, with 3.3 per 1,000 residents compared to the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This discrepancy may partly explain the town’s elevated focus on community policing efforts. October’s darker evenings and Halloween festivities likely contributed to a slight uptick in anti-social behaviour, though the overall rate remained stable compared to previous months. The town’s low levels of property crime—particularly shoplifting, which fell by 50% compared to September—suggest effective retail security measures or seasonal changes in consumer behaviour. With a population of 17,981, Devizes’ crime profile illustrates the tension between its historical character and the demands of modern policing in a relatively small urban area.

October saw marked reductions in shoplifting, which fell by 50% compared to September, aligning with a broader trend of decreased property crime. This decline, from 18 to 9 incidents, may reflect the impact of seasonal retail strategies or increased security in local stores. Conversely, possession of weapons rose by 100%, with one reported incident in October compared to none in September—a concerning anomaly that warrants closer examination. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime category, remained 35% above the UK average, with 30 incidents recorded. This figure underscores the ongoing challenges in managing public order in a town centre that hosts regular markets and community events. Shoplifting rates were 21% below the UK average, suggesting that Devizes’ retail environment may have implemented effective deterrents. The decrease in burglary, which fell by 50% from four to two incidents, could be linked to improved home security awareness during the autumn months. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns and the importance of targeted interventions in specific categories.

Devizes’ crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents in October 2025 represents a 7.8% increase from the previous month’s rate of 6.5 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 125 crimes were reported, translating to approximately 4 crimes per day—a figure that, while consistent with historical trends, is lower than the UK’s average daily crime rate. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure of 1 crime per 144 residents illustrates the relatively low risk faced by Devizes’ residents compared to the national average. This context is particularly relevant given the town’s small population and its position as a rural commuter hub. While the overall rate rose slightly from September, the distribution of crime types remained distinct: violent crimes maintained a higher proportion than the UK average, while property crimes were consistently below national levels. These patterns suggest that Devizes’ unique demographic profile—characterised by a mix of historic residential areas and modern retail zones—shapes its crime dynamics in ways that differ from larger urban centres. The town’s ability to maintain a low crime rate despite the seasonal challenges of October underscores the effectiveness of local policing and community engagement initiatives.