Devon and Cornwall Among Lowest Crime Rates in UK

In a comprehensive analysis of crime rates across the United Kingdom, Devon and Cornwall have been identified as having one of the lowest crime rates, according to a recent study by ADT. This comes at a time when the UK grapples with varying crime rates amidst government cuts and reduced police presence in frontline crime fighting.

The study, focusing on the year ending March 2023, examined crime statistics across different regions. It highlighted Devon and Cornwall as part of the bottom ten in terms of crime rates, underscoring their relative safety compared to other areas.

High Crime Rate Areas

The report revealed that Cleveland Police topped the list of highest crime rates, with a staggering 147.7 recorded crimes per 1,000 population. This figure is significantly higher than other regions, with the West Yorkshire Police (133.8) and Greater Manchester Police (129.7) following closely behind. The Metropolitan Police recorded the highest number of total crimes, amounting to 880,284 incidents.

Rank	Police force area	Crime rate per 1,000 population
1	Cleveland Police	147.7
2	West Yorkshire Police	133.8
3	Greater Manchester Police	129.7
4	West Midlands Police	125.9
5	Merseyside Police	119.0
6	South Yorkshire Police	116.7
7	Humberside Police	108.1
8	Durham Police	101.8
9	Gwent Police	101.8
10	Metropolitan Police	100.2

Low Crime Rate Areas

Contrastingly, Devon and Cornwall Police reported a crime rate of only 58.4 per 1,000 population, making it one of the safest areas in the UK. Other regions with low crime rates include Wiltshire Police and North Yorkshire Police. In terms of total recorded crimes, Cumbria Police reported only 38,912 crimes, a stark contrast to the figures in high crime rate areas.

Rank	Police force area	Crime rate per 1,000 population
1	Devon and Cornwall Police	58.4
2	Wiltshire Police	59.1
3	North Yorkshire Police	60
4	Surrey Police	60.6
5	Hertfordshire Police	63.6
6	Dorset Police	66.2
7	Suffolk Police	68.3
8	Warwickshire Police	69.9
9	Bedfordshire Police	72.1
10	Thames Valley Police	72.8

Regional Crime Trends

The research also provided insights into regional crime trends. Yorkshire and The Humber emerged as the region with the highest overall crime rate, with over 625,000 recorded crimes. Theft offences, public order offences, and shoplifting were prevalent in this region.

Greater London recorded the highest number of total crimes in the UK, with the Metropolitan Police Force contributing to 99% of these crimes. Camden, Kensington & Chelsea, and Islington were identified as boroughs with the highest crime rates within Greater London.

Rising Crime Offences

The study noted an increase in specific crime offences. Robbery, for instance, saw a significant increase, rising by 11.78% between April and June 2022-23. Possession of weapons offences also saw a notable rise in the same period.

Expert Insights on Home Security

Michele Bennett, General Manager at ADT UK Subscriber, emphasised the importance of home security in light of these findings. She suggested proactive measures such as installing smart alarm systems, securing doors and windows, and using smart plugs connected to lights to deter potential intruders.

Conclusion

The study by ADT provides a detailed overview of the current crime landscape in the UK, highlighting the significant disparities in crime rates across different regions. While areas like Devon and Cornwall maintain low crime rates, other regions continue to struggle with high levels of criminal activity. The insights offered by security experts like Michele Bennett underscore the ongoing need for vigilant home security measures to combat these trends.