Dartington Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Dartington, within South Hams, reveal a crime rate of 43.8 per 1,000 residents over the period of January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating a generally safer environment compared to the national picture. While the safety score for Dartington is a respectable 90 out of 100, understanding the specific types of crime and trends is crucial for residents. The data highlights that while overall crime has remained stable, certain categories, particularly violence and sexual offences, represent a significant proportion of reported incidents. This page aims to provide a detailed overview of crime statistics in Dartington, offering insights and practical advice to promote safety and wellbeing.

The crime landscape in Dartington is shaped by its rural character and relatively small population of 2167. While the overall crime rate of 43.8 per 1,000 residents annually is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, certain crime types warrant attention. Violence and sexual offences represent the largest proportion of reported crimes, accounting for 39.0% of all incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also a notable concern, contributing 21.1% of reported crimes. Other theft, encompassing a range of minor offences, constitutes 11.6% of the total. The prevalence of these crimes likely reflects a combination of factors, including occasional tensions within the close-knit community and the challenges of policing a dispersed rural area. The presence of local businesses also contributes to incidents of theft. The relatively low rate of burglary, at 4 crimes per 1,000, suggests a degree of security awareness within the community, although further vigilance remains crucial.

Crime rates in Dartington have shown a stable trend over the period of January 2025 to December 2025, decreasing by 2.1% year-on-year. Monthly data reveals fluctuations, with a peak in reported incidents during May 2025 (5.5 per 1,000) and a significant low in October 2025 (1.4 per 1,000). While these monthly variations are typical, the overall downward trend suggests a degree of success in crime prevention efforts. Further analysis is needed to determine the underlying factors contributing to these fluctuations and to ensure the continued stability of crime rates in Dartington.

How To Keep Safe in Dartington

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's vital to remain vigilant, particularly when out alone at night. Consider walking with a friend or using well-lit routes. Due to concerns around anti-social behaviour, be mindful of your surroundings in public spaces. Report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Vehicle crime, while not as prevalent, remains a risk; always lock your vehicle and remove valuables from view. Finally, secure your home with robust locks and consider installing security lighting to deter potential intruders. Remembering these simple steps can significantly enhance your personal safety in Dartington.

Crimes in Dartington are distributed throughout the day and night. Burglary tends to be most frequent in the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), representing 14% of incidents. Violence and sexual offences are elevated during the evening (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekend nights, when they account for a significant proportion of incidents. Vehicle crime is more common overnight (12am - 6am), while theft sees its highest concentration during commercial hours in the afternoon. This pattern suggests that targeted efforts to address specific crime types at particular times could be beneficial.

Dartington's crime rate is notably different from its neighbours. Totnes, a larger town nearby, experiences a considerably higher crime rate of 74.3 per 1,000. In contrast, Broadhempston, a smaller village, reports a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, indicating a significantly safer environment. Buckfastleigh has a higher rate at 64.6 per 1,000, while Ipplepen sits closer to Dartington's rate at 30.2 per 1,000. These variations reflect the differing demographics, population densities, and economic activities within each area.

Traditional CCTV systems often simply record footage after a burglary has occurred. With an annual burglary rate of 4 crimes per 1,000 in Dartington, reactive security measures offer little real protection. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, takes a proactive approach. By analyzing data from multiple cameras at your property boundary, scOS detects potential threats – a person loitering, a vehicle circling – before they can escalate. The system’s DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles, while pattern learning recognizes your family and deliveries, minimizing false alarms. The visible presence of scOS’s professional-grade equipment acts as a powerful deterrent. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; scOS makes that decision easy for them – they move on. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats at your property line is another.