ONS statistics confirm Devon and Cornwall have sixth lowest crime rate in England & Wales

Devon & Cornwall Police have been confirmed as having the sixth lowest crime rate out of 42 police forces in England and Wales, according to the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

 The data, covering the 12-month period to June 2024, highlights the force’s performance across multiple crime categories.

The ONS report measures 14 crime categories, and Devon & Cornwall Police ranked in the top five for seven of these categories, with an additional category ranked in the top ten.

Over the past year, the Force has focused on improving crime recording and enhancing the public’s ability to contact the police. Performance improvements across the two contact centres in Crownhill, Plymouth, and Middlemoor, Exeter, have led to faster response times, contributing to a higher quality of service for the communities of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. These centres are now handling more 101 calls, which has also contributed to an increase in recorded crime in certain areas.

The statistics show a rise in drug offences. This reflects the Force’s approach in proactively targeting drug misuse across the South West under the Op Scorpion umbrella - encouraging members of the public to report suspicious drugs activities.

Operation Scorpion saw 117 arrests and 19 people charged across the South West, this equates to 28 arrests and three people charged in Devon and Cornwall.

The rise in theft has been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. We have also sought to improve public confidence to report crime by being more visible in our communities and hotspot policing areas.

In Devon and Cornwall criminal damage and arson saw an increase of 7.9% compared to the previous year, which is concern to us, though the force remains within the top 20 forces for these offences.

Vehicle crime saw a positive reduction of 1.5%, maintaining the Force's position as the fifth-ranked in this category across England and Wales.

T/Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thorne commented: “It’s encouraging to see that we continue to rank among the top ten police forces in England and Wales for overall crime levels. Like many others, we are navigating the challenges of the ongoing cost of living crisis, alongside making significant strides in improving how we record crime and making it easier for the public to reach us.

While some areas of crime, such as theft from the person, have increased slightly, these rises come from a relatively low base, and we are working diligently to reduce them. Our commitment to improving our service remains strong.

We are using a targeted approach, known as Operation Loki, to address crime hotspots across both counties. This initiative, shaped by concerns raised by local communities, has proven highly effective. Its focus on anti-social behaviour and public safety also complements our efforts to combat violence against women and girls.

Additionally, we are expanding our police enquiry offices across the region, with several scheduled to open in early 2025. Our contact centres have also delivered impressive results, with 92.7% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds and 90% of 101 calls answered within 20 minutes.

We remain committed to working with our communities and partners to deliver a first-class police service for residents and visitors alike.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez said: “I’m pleased that Devon and Cornwall remain among the safest places to live in the country. However, the increase in theft and drug related crime show there is still work to do and this is why I have proposed these are priorities for Devon & Cornwall Police in my next Police and Crime Plan.

“I am committed to ensuring a firm focus on issues that matter most to those who live and work in our two counties. The public can expect continued robust action against drugs with Operation Scorpion, sending the message that the South West is no place for drugs, alongside my Street Focus project which aims to create a blueprint for improving safety and tackling antisocial behaviour in our communities.”