Crime in Axminster: statistics, rates and trends
500 crimes were recorded in Axminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Axminster at a glance
- Crime trends in Axminster
- Types of crime in Axminster
- Axminster compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Axminster
- Streets with the most crime in Axminster
- What happened after crimes were reported in Axminster
- Population and deprivation in Axminster
- Questions about crime in Axminster
- About this data
500 crimes were recorded in Axminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 255 reports (51% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Axminster has the 798th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Axminster | East Devon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 500 | 7,414 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 69.5 | 46.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -14% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 7,190 | 158,239 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Axminster was highest in the year to July 2019 (695 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (384). Over the whole period it fell 23%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 500 | 69.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 583 | 81.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 384 | 53.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 447 | 62.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 472 | 65.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 537 | 74.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 695 | 96.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 647 | 90.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 55 |
| June 2026 | 47 |
| May 2026 | 43 |
| April 2026 | 27 |
| March 2026 | 49 |
| February 2026 | 38 |
| January 2026 | 50 |
| December 2025 | 37 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 44 |
| September 2025 | 29 |
| August 2025 | 52 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Axminster over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+22%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-61%) and anti-social behaviour (-49%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 255 | 35.5 | 1.04 | +5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 61 | 8.5 | 1.25 | +22% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 54 | 7.5 | 0.49 | -49% |
| Public order | 29 | 4.0 | 0.61 | -29% |
| Other theft | 25 | 3.5 | 0.54 | +47% |
| Shoplifting | 24 | 3.3 | 0.40 | -61% |
| Burglary | 15 | 2.1 | 0.59 | +114% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 2.1 | 0.42 | +67% |
| Drugs | 10 | 1.4 | 0.43 | -17% |
| Other crime | 6 | 0.8 | 0.40 | -60% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.4 | 0.25 | -57% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.17 | -75% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.14 | -89% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Axminster
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Axminster recorded 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 51.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Axminster
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Axminster recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Axminster
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Axminster recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Axminster
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Axminster recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Axminster
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Axminster recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Axminster
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Axminster recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 61% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Axminster
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Axminster recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 114% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Axminster
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Axminster recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Axminster
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Axminster recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Axminster
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Axminster recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Axminster
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Axminster recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Axminster
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Axminster recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Axminster
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Axminster recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 89% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Axminster
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Axminster recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Axminster, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Axminster.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Axminster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaton (East Devon) | 337 | 43.3 | -38% |
| Chard | 1,834 | 125.5 | +80% |
| Honiton | 670 | 55.0 | -21% |
| Ilminster | 403 | 65.2 | -6% |
| Bridport | 820 | 82.3 | +18% |
| Crewkerne | 608 | 92.3 | +33% |
| Sidmouth | 709 | 48.9 | -30% |
| Ottery St Mary | 259 | 42.3 | -39% |
1 areas within Axminster, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Axminster had the highest rate (63.3 per 1,000) and Axminster the lowest (63.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axminster | Neighbourhood | 9,173 | 581 | 63.3 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Axminster over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 43 |
| On or near Vale Lane | 28 |
| On or near Lynch Close | 24 |
| On or near Lyme Street | 21 |
| On or near Foxhill | 19 |
| On or near Flax Meadow Lane | 18 |
| On or near Silver Street | 15 |
| On or near Ridgway Court | 14 |
| On or near Cridlake | 14 |
| On or near Cawley Avenue | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Axminster over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 235 | 47.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 99 | 19.8% |
| Under investigation | 59 | 11.8% |
| Not recorded | 54 | 10.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 8 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 5 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.4% |
Axminster has an estimated population of 7,190. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Axminster sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Axminster |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.5% |
| Social rented homes | 16.4% |
| Private rented homes | 18.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
Is Axminster a safe place to live?
Axminster recorded 69.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Axminster?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (61).
Is crime in Axminster going up or down?
Recorded crime in Axminster was down 14% on the year before: 500 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 583 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Axminster?
Axminster is policed by Devon & Cornwall. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Axminster. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.