Crime in Bideford: statistics, rates and trends

1,720 crimes were recorded in Bideford in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 685 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bideford has the 485th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bideford was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,960 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,403). Over the whole period it fell 3%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bideford 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. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+17%).

The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-30%) and drugs (-27%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bideford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bideford recorded 685 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 39.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bideford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bideford recorded 281 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 16.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bideford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bideford recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bideford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bideford recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bideford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bideford recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bideford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bideford recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bideford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bideford recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bideford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bideford recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 425% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bideford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bideford recorded 41 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 5% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bideford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bideford recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bideford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bideford recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bideford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bideford recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 160% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bideford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bideford recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bideford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bideford recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Bideford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bideford.

4 areas within Bideford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bideford North had the highest rate (143.6 per 1,000) and Bideford South the lowest (46.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Bideford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bideford 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.

Bideford has an estimated population of 19,215. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bideford sits in decile 4.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Bideford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.