Crime in Ilfracombe: statistics, rates and trends
1,285 crimes were recorded in Ilfracombe in the 12 months to July 2026, 129.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Ilfracombe at a glance
- Crime trends in Ilfracombe
- Types of crime in Ilfracombe
- Ilfracombe compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Ilfracombe
- Streets with the most crime in Ilfracombe
- What happened after crimes were reported in Ilfracombe
- Population and deprivation in Ilfracombe
- Questions about crime in Ilfracombe
- About this data
1,285 crimes were recorded in Ilfracombe in the 12 months to July 2026, 129.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 460 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ilfracombe has the 129th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ilfracombe | North Devon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,285 | 7,132 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 129.1 | 70.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 9,957 | 101,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ilfracombe was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,341 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (819). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 1,285 | 129.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,341 | 134.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 992 | 99.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 819 | 82.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 955 | 95.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 987 | 99.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,176 | 118.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,299 | 130.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 120 |
| June 2026 | 116 |
| May 2026 | 135 |
| April 2026 | 110 |
| March 2026 | 101 |
| February 2026 | 68 |
| January 2026 | 76 |
| December 2025 | 75 |
| November 2025 | 110 |
| October 2025 | 96 |
| September 2025 | 123 |
| August 2025 | 155 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ilfracombe 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+27%) and drugs (+12%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-22%) and public order (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 460 | 46.2 | 1.35 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 260 | 26.1 | 1.70 | -16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 130 | 13.1 | 1.93 | +27% |
| Shoplifting | 113 | 11.3 | 1.37 | -22% |
| Public order | 84 | 8.4 | 1.27 | -18% |
| Other theft | 74 | 7.4 | 1.16 | +3% |
| Vehicle crime | 35 | 3.5 | 0.71 | +338% |
| Burglary | 34 | 3.4 | 0.97 | +79% |
| Other crime | 29 | 2.9 | 1.38 | -17% |
| Drugs | 27 | 2.7 | 0.83 | +12% |
| Possession of weapons | 18 | 1.8 | 1.86 | +125% |
| Theft from the person | 11 | 1.1 | 0.65 | +83% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.9 | 0.67 | +80% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.12 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Ilfracombe
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ilfracombe recorded 460 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (46.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 35.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ilfracombe
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ilfracombe recorded 260 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 20.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ilfracombe
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ilfracombe recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ilfracombe
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ilfracombe recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ilfracombe
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ilfracombe recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ilfracombe
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ilfracombe recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ilfracombe
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ilfracombe recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 338% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ilfracombe
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ilfracombe recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 79% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ilfracombe
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ilfracombe recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ilfracombe
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ilfracombe recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ilfracombe
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ilfracombe recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 125% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Ilfracombe
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ilfracombe recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ilfracombe
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ilfracombe recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Ilfracombe
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ilfracombe 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ilfracombe, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ilfracombe.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ilfracombe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braunton | 297 | 36.8 | -72% |
| Barnstaple | 3,521 | 116.5 | -10% |
| Fremington | 150 | 27.9 | -78% |
| Bideford | 1,720 | 89.5 | -31% |
| Great Torrington | 341 | 57.6 | -55% |
| South Molton | 412 | 64.1 | -50% |
| Porthcawl | 1,247 | 76.7 | -41% |
| Minehead | 1,287 | 108.3 | -16% |
2 areas within Ilfracombe, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ilfracombe East had the highest rate (180.0 per 1,000) and Ilfracombe West the lowest (46.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilfracombe East | Neighbourhood | 6,427 | 1,157 | 180.0 |
| Ilfracombe West | Neighbourhood | 4,642 | 216 | 46.5 |
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 Ilfracombe over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 180 |
| On or near Victoria Road | 136 |
| On or near Parking Area | 88 |
| On or near Marlborough Way | 41 |
| On or near Riversdale Avenue | 41 |
| On or near Meridian Place | 35 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 33 |
| On or near High Street | 32 |
| On or near Hillsborough Road | 32 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 30 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ilfracombe 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 | 431 | 33.5% |
| Not recorded | 260 | 20.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 247 | 19.2% |
| Under investigation | 185 | 14.4% |
| Local resolution | 43 | 3.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 39 | 3.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 23 | 1.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 23 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 1.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
Ilfracombe has an estimated population of 9,957. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ilfracombe sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ilfracombe |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.4% |
| Social rented homes | 11.2% |
| Private rented homes | 31.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 14.8% |
Is Ilfracombe a safe place to live?
Ilfracombe recorded 129.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Ilfracombe?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 460 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (260).
Is crime in Ilfracombe going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ilfracombe was down 4% on the year before: 1,285 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,341 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ilfracombe?
Ilfracombe 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 Ilfracombe. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.