Crime in South Molton: statistics, rates and trends
412 crimes were recorded in South Molton in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- 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
- Population and deprivation in South Molton
- Questions about crime in South Molton
- About this data
412 crimes were recorded in South Molton in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 204 reports (50% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, South Molton has the 891st highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Molton | North Devon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 412 | 7,132 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 64.1 | 70.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 6,429 | 101,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Molton was highest in the year to July 2026 (412 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (283). Over the whole period it rose 40%, 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 | 412 | 64.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 380 | 59.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 307 | 47.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 333 | 51.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 283 | 44.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 327 | 50.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 357 | 55.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 294 | 45.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Molton 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 other theft (+55%) and violence and sexual offences (+15%).
The largest falls were in public order (-25%) and anti-social behaviour (-12%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 204 | 31.7 | 0.93 | +15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 50 | 7.8 | 0.51 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 37 | 5.8 | 0.85 | +0% |
| Other theft | 31 | 4.8 | 0.75 | +55% |
| Public order | 21 | 3.3 | 0.49 | -25% |
| Shoplifting | 18 | 2.8 | 0.34 | +38% |
| Burglary | 14 | 2.2 | 0.62 | +27% |
| Vehicle crime | 14 | 2.2 | 0.44 | +75% |
| Drugs | 8 | 1.2 | 0.38 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.6 | 0.76 | +100% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.6 | 0.29 | -60% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.5 | 0.48 | -50% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.5 | 0.35 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.09 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Molton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Molton recorded 204 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 49.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Molton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Molton recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Molton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Molton recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Molton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Molton recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Molton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Molton recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Molton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Molton recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Molton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Molton recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Molton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Molton recorded 14 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 75% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Molton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Molton recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Molton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Molton recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Molton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Molton recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Molton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Molton recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Molton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Molton recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Molton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Molton recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, 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 South Molton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Molton.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Molton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstaple | 3,521 | 116.5 | +82% |
| Fremington | 150 | 27.9 | -56% |
| Great Torrington | 341 | 57.6 | -10% |
| Braunton | 297 | 36.8 | -43% |
| Bideford | 1,720 | 89.5 | +40% |
| Tiverton | 1,900 | 91.1 | +42% |
| Crediton | 760 | 91.6 | +43% |
| Ilfracombe | 1,285 | 129.1 | +101% |
1 areas within South Molton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. South Molton had the highest rate (64.1 per 1,000) and South Molton the lowest (64.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Molton | Neighbourhood | 6,429 | 412 | 64.1 |
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 South Molton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 21 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 18 |
| On or near Supermarket | 16 |
| On or near New Road | 15 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 15 |
| On or near B3227 | 14 |
| On or near Duke Street | 14 |
| On or near Broad Street The Square | 13 |
| On or near Parking Area | 12 |
| On or near Limekilns Close | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Molton 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 | 163 | 39.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 83 | 20.1% |
| Under investigation | 65 | 15.8% |
| Not recorded | 50 | 12.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 23 | 5.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 5 | 1.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 1.2% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.2% |
South Molton has an estimated population of 6,429. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Molton sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Molton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.6% |
| Social rented homes | 14.2% |
| Private rented homes | 21.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
Is South Molton a safe place to live?
South Molton recorded 64.1 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 South Molton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 204 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (50).
Is crime in South Molton going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Molton was up 8% on the year before: 412 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 380 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Molton?
South Molton 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 South Molton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.