Crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead: statistics, rates and trends
101 crimes were recorded in Dunkeswell & Otterhead in the 12 months to August 2026, 21.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 23% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead at a glance
- Crime trends in Dunkeswell & Otterhead
- Types of crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead
- Dunkeswell & Otterhead compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dunkeswell & Otterhead
- Demographics of Dunkeswell & Otterhead
- Questions about crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (49), criminal damage and arson (11) and public order (11) made up 70% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,899th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | Dunkeswell & Otterhead | East Devon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 101 | 7,455 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 21.3 | 47.1 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -23% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 4,751 | 158,239 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead peaked in the year to August 2020 (133 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2024 (98). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 16%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 101 | 21.3 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 132 | 27.8 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 98 | 20.6 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2022 | 116 | 24.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 104 | 21.9 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 133 | 28.0 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 121 | 25.5 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 120 | 25.3 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 15 |
| July 2026 | 10 |
| June 2026 | 5 |
| May 2026 | 10 |
| April 2026 | 10 |
| March 2026 | 11 |
| February 2026 | 6 |
| January 2026 | 12 |
| December 2025 | 7 |
| November 2025 | 3 |
| October 2025 | 7 |
| September 2025 | 5 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (70% below) was well below it. On the year before, violence and sexual offences fell from 65 to 49.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 49 | 10.3 | 34.2 | -25% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 11 | 2.3 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Public order | 11 | 2.3 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Burglary | 7 | 1.5 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other theft | 7 | 1.5 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 5 | 1.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Drugs | 4 | 0.8 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.4 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1 | 0.2 | 15.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Every one of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods has a higher crime rate than Dunkeswell & Otterhead.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dunkeswell & Otterhead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honiton St Paul's | 369 | 71.1 | +235% |
| Honiton St Michael's | 316 | 45.1 | +112% |
| Coly Valley | 148 | 31.6 | +49% |
| Ottery St Mary | 388 | 36.2 | +70% |
| Axminster | 578 | 63.0 | +196% |
| Seaton | 284 | 44.2 | +108% |
| Whimple & Rockbeare | 248 | 50.0 | +135% |
| Sidmouth Sidford | 427 | 60.9 | +186% |
The 10 locations below account for 66% of the crime recorded in Dunkeswell & Otterhead over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Park/Open Space” (16).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Park/Open Space | 16 |
| On or near Tencery Orchard | 10 |
| On or near Parking Area | 9 |
| On or near Landcroft Lane | 8 |
| On or near New Road | 7 |
| On or near Pump Field Close | 5 |
| On or near Dumpdon View | 3 |
| On or near Jenwood Road | 3 |
| On or near Manleys Lane | 3 |
| On or near Potters Stile | 3 |
Of the 100 crimes in Dunkeswell & Otterhead with a recorded outcome, 29% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.0% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 1 anti-social behaviour report has no outcome and is left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 33 | 33.0% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 29 | 29.0% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 18 | 18.0% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 5.0% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 4 | 4.0% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 4 | 4.0% | 4.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 3.0% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 2.0% | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 1.0% | 1.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 1.0% | 0.3% |
Dunkeswell & Otterhead has an estimated population of 4,751 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (6.9%, against 23.3%), an older population (32%, against 19%) and less social housing (5.9%, against 17.1%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Dunkeswell & Otterhead average decile 5.0 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Dunkeswell & Otterhead | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 31.5% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 54.6% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.5% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 32.3% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.6% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 33.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 17.1% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 6.9% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 80.4% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 5.9% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.6% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Dunkeswell & Otterhead a safe place to live?
Dunkeswell & Otterhead recorded 21.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,899th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 49 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (11).
Is crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dunkeswell & Otterhead was down 23% on the year before: 101 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 132 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Dunkeswell & Otterhead?
About 4,751 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 32% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Dunkeswell & Otterhead?
Dunkeswell & Otterhead is policed by Devon & Cornwall.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.