Crime Rate in West Devon: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Devon

The total recorded crimes in West Devon, UK in May 2025 are around 250 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Devon crime rate of 4.38 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around West Devon, encompassing approximately 57,094 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (105) incidents (-2.78% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (37) incidents (5.71% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (28) incidents (64.71% increase)
West Devon Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • West Street with total crimes: 9
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 9
  • Fore Street with total crimes: 6

West Devon Police Info:

Devon & Cornwall Police

How safe is West Devon?

To understand the safety of West Devon, we need to analyze West Devon crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • West Devon has recorded 3,493 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 61.18 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 287 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 56 crimes with a crime rate of 0.98, ranking it 315 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Devon:

    • In 2024, West Devon demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Devon average, with 3493 crimes compared to 7668.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, West Devon witnessed more crimes than 7 out of 7 other cities.

    • In 2023, West Devon had fewer crimes than the Devon average, with 56 crimes compared to 94. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, West Devon witnessed more crimes than 4 out of 7 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, West Devon is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Devon, West Devon has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

West Devon Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Okehampton South (35 crimes), and the safest, South Tawton (1 crimes), is 34 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across West Devon.

Similarly, the area of Tavistock (77 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Horrabridge & Mary Tavy (16 crimes), with a difference of 61 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within West Devon.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Okehampton South35
Tavistock North32
Drewsteignton30
Tavistock South West23
Tavistock South East22

Safest Wards:

Buckland Monachorum7
Mary Tavy3
Bridestowe2
Chagford1
South Tawton1

Most Dangerous Areas:

Tavistock77
Chagford, Princetown & Dartmoor48
Okehampton39
Hatherleigh, Exbourne & North Tawton35
Lifton, Lamerton & Bridestowe18

Safest Areas:

Okehampton39
Hatherleigh, Exbourne & North Tawton35
Lifton, Lamerton & Bridestowe18
Bere Alston, Buckland Monachorum & Yelverton17
Horrabridge & Mary Tavy16

West Devon Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the West Devon has recorded 250 crimes with crime rate of 4.38 ranking 305th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 8 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Devon.

In 2024, the total West Devon crimes were 3,493. The crime rate of West Devon in 2024 was 61.18 (year) or 5.10 (month) ranking it 287 danzarous in the UK. West Devon ranked 8 in terms of total crimes and 6 in terms of crime rate in Devon.

In 2023, the total crimes in West Devon were around 56 crimes with yearly crime rate of 0.98 (year) or 0.08 (month) ranking 315 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Devon, West Devon ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 4 as per crime rate of West Devon

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Devon)CrimesRank (Devon)CrimesRank (Devon)
Torridge413 84,175 58 8
South Hams422 74,657 821 7
East Devon768 28,653 7269 2
North Devon706 67,608 228 6
Teignbridge793 58,510 463 5
Exeter1,932 318,875 1129 3
Mid Devon472 15,371 3176 1

West Devon Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (105 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (37 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (108 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (35 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (107 incidents) and then Criminal damage and arson showed a substantial number of incidents (38 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 85 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 26 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (125 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (42 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 106 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 36 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (91 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (36 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (104 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (38 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (85 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (27 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (111 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (51 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 123 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 48 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (224 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (82 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 114 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.50 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 202510
March 202514
February 20256
January 202516
December 20248
November 20246
October 20243
September 202416
August 20246
July 202412
June 202416

A total of 168 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 25 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 20256
March 202511
February 20254
January 20256
December 202425
November 202419
October 202411
September 202416
August 202412
July 202425
June 202422

A total of 7 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20251
November 20241
June 20244

A total of 1374 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 114.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 224 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025105
April 2025108
March 2025107
February 202585
January 2025125
December 2024106
November 202491
October 2024104
September 202485
August 2024111
July 2024123
June 2024224

A total of 298 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 24.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 46 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202521
April 202517
March 202533
February 202517
January 202515
December 202429
November 202430
October 202418
September 202426
August 202424
July 202422
June 202446

A total of 117 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 20255
March 202510
February 20253
January 20255
December 20247
November 20249
October 202410
September 202412
August 20245
July 20249
June 202430

A total of 369 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 68 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202517
March 202538
February 202520
January 202519
December 202436
November 202427
October 202427
September 202422
August 202430
July 202437
June 202468

A total of 104 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20256
March 20255
February 202516
January 202510
December 20249
November 20249
October 20244
September 20243
August 20248
July 20246
June 202424

A total of 85 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202511
March 202513
February 20253
January 20254
December 20245
November 20245
October 20243
September 20245
August 20246
July 20246
June 202412

A total of 179 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.92 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202513
March 20254
February 202512
January 202512
December 202412
November 202410
October 202419
September 202414
August 202427
July 202420
June 202418

A total of 473 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 39.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202537
April 202535
March 202533
February 202526
January 202542
December 202418
November 202436
October 202438
September 202427
August 202451
July 202448
June 202482

A total of 30 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.73 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
March 20253
February 20252
January 20254
December 20242
November 20243
October 20242
September 20244
August 20243
July 20242
June 20242

A total of 14 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.33 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241
August 20241
July 20247

A total of 1 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251

High Crime Locations West Devon in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the West Devon postcode area is presented below.

1. West Street (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour4
Criminal damage and arson1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order1
Other theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
3. Fore Street (Map)
Total6
Shoplifting3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
4. A386 (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences6
5. Bowbeer Lane (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences6
6. King Street (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences2
Shoplifting2
Other theft1
Bicycle theft1

To know about postcode areas in West Devon, visit West Devon information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
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