Crime in South Molton: statistics, rates and trends
418 crimes were recorded in South Molton in the 12 months to August 2026, 65.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in South Molton at a glance
- Crime trends in South Molton
- Types of crime in South Molton
- South Molton compared with nearby towns
- Areas within South Molton
- Streets with the most crime in South Molton
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Molton
- Demographics of South Molton
- Questions about crime in South Molton
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (209), anti-social behaviour (45) and criminal damage and arson (41) made up 71% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 864th of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | South Molton | North Devon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 418 | 7,112 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 65.0 | 70.3 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 6,429 | 101,222 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the most recorded crime in South Molton of any year here (418 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 42%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 418 | 65.0 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 405 | 63.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 306 | 47.6 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2022 | 329 | 51.2 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 288 | 44.8 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 331 | 51.5 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 355 | 55.2 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 295 | 45.9 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 53 |
| July 2026 | 47 |
| June 2026 | 33 |
| May 2026 | 32 |
| April 2026 | 28 |
| March 2026 | 24 |
| February 2026 | 27 |
| January 2026 | 26 |
| December 2025 | 37 |
| November 2025 | 31 |
| October 2025 | 45 |
| September 2025 | 35 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and shoplifting (63% below) and anti-social behaviour (54% below) were well below it. On the year before, other theft rose from 23 to 30, while anti-social behaviour fell from 64 to 45 and public order fell from 30 to 23.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 209 | 32.5 | 34.2 | +12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 45 | 7.0 | 15.4 | -30% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 41 | 6.4 | 6.7 | +5% |
| Other theft | 30 | 4.7 | 6.4 | +30% |
| Public order | 23 | 3.6 | 6.7 | -23% |
| Shoplifting | 20 | 3.1 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Burglary | 13 | 2.0 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 13 | 2.0 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.4 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 0.9 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
5 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than South Molton; the highest is Ilfracombe (126.2 per 1,000) and the lowest Fremington (29.0).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Molton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstaple | 3,461 | 114.5 | +76% |
| Fremington | 156 | 29.0 | -55% |
| Great Torrington | 337 | 56.9 | -13% |
| Braunton | 307 | 38.0 | -42% |
| Bideford | 1,715 | 89.3 | +37% |
| Tiverton | 1,918 | 92.0 | +42% |
| Crediton | 762 | 91.9 | +41% |
| Ilfracombe | 1,257 | 126.2 | +94% |
South Molton is the one area listed within South Molton, with 65.0 crimes per 1,000 residents.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Molton | Neighbourhood | 6,429 | 418 | 65.0 |
The 10 locations below account for 36% of the crime recorded in South Molton over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Petrol Station” (26).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 26 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 18 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 15 |
| On or near B3227 | 14 |
| On or near Broad Street The Square | 14 |
| On or near Duke Street | 14 |
| On or near New Road | 13 |
| On or near Normandy Way | 13 |
| On or near Supermarket | 13 |
| On or near Parking Area | 12 |
Of the 373 crimes in South Molton with a recorded outcome, 24% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 1.6% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 45 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 169 | 45.3% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 88 | 23.6% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 67 | 18.0% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 4.8% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 1.6% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 1.3% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.3% | 3.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.1% | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.8% | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
South Molton has an estimated population of 6,429 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer students (4.1%, against 7.9%), an older population (28%, against 19%) and more retired residents (30%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up South Molton average decile 4.9 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | South Molton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.8% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 52.9% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.7% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 30.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.1% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 24.3% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 18.3% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 18.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.6% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 14.2% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 21.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 | 5.5 (England) |
Is South Molton a safe place to live?
South Molton recorded 65.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 864th of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in South Molton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 209 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (45).
Is crime in South Molton going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Molton was up 3% on the year before: 418 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 405 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of South Molton?
About 6,429 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 28% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers South Molton?
South Molton 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.