Dartmouth Crime Rate

Crime in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a relatively safe coastal town with a safety score of 84/100, which is comfortably above the UK average of 78/100. The town's overall crime rate is 69.0 per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 93.1. However, recent data shows that crime has been increasing, with an 11.6% rise over the last 12 months. The property crime rate stands at 23.0 per 1,000 people, which is also lower than the UK average of 32.9. While Dartmouth remains a secure place to live and visit, the upward trend in offences—particularly violence, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage—suggests a need for continued community awareness. The following sections provide a deeper look into the specific crime types and patterns affecting the area.

Crime Breakdown in Dartmouth

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crimes in Dartmouth, accounting for 39.3% of the total. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.7% and criminal damage and arson at 10.4%. These figures indicate that social-related issues and property damage are more prevalent than serious acquisitive crime.

The overall property crime rate in Dartmouth is 23.0 per 1,000 residents. This category includes shoplifting (8.7%), other theft (9.8%), and burglary (3.0%). While burglary remains relatively low with only 11 incidents recorded in the past year, the combined impact of theft and criminal damage suggests that property security is a relevant concern for local homeowners and business owners alike.

For residents, the data shows that while Dartmouth is generally safe, there is a persistent level of opportunistic crime and anti-social conduct. The low burglary rate is encouraging, but the higher rates of theft and damage mean that proactive measures are still necessary to protect assets and maintain the area's high safety score.

Crime Trends in Dartmouth

Dartmouth's crime statistics show a notable upward trend, with a total year-over-year increase of 11.6%. This rise suggests that the town is experiencing more frequent incidents than in the previous 12-month period, although it remains significantly safer than the UK average.

The monthly trendData highlights specific periods of increased activity. Crime rates were lowest in November 2024 at 4.0 per 1,000 residents but began to climb steadily throughout 2025. A significant peak occurred in July 2025, reaching 8.7 per 1,000, coinciding with the height of the summer tourist season. While the rate dipped to 4.7 by October 2025, the overall trend remains higher than the previous year. This seasonal pattern suggests that crime in Dartmouth is closely linked to periods of high visitor numbers, making summer a time for increased community vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Dartmouth

The most common crime in Dartmouth is violence and sexual offences, making up nearly 40% of all incidents. While the town is generally safe, taking basic personal safety precautions is advisable.

• Plan Your Travel: When enjoying Dartmouth's nightlife, plan your route home in advance. Stick to well-lit streets and try to walk with friends or use reputable local taxi services.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Maintain situational awareness, especially in crowded tourist areas where opportunistic theft can occur alongside social-related incidents.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB making up 13.7% of crimes, reporting incidents to the local council or police helps authorities allocate resources to the right areas.
• Secure Business Premises: For local shop owners, the 8.7% shoplifting rate suggests that visible deterrents and staff training on loss prevention are essential.
• Keep Valuables Hidden: When visiting the waterfront or busy town centre, keep personal belongings secure and out of sight to discourage 'other theft' offences.

Time-Based Crime Patterns in Dartmouth

Crime in Dartmouth displays clear temporal trends, largely driven by commercial and leisure activities. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is the peak period for theft-related crimes, which account for 59% of incidents during these hours. This likely reflects shoplifting and opportunistic theft in the town's retail centre and around the harbour when footfall is highest.

As the evening progresses, the nature of crime shifts. Between 6pm and 12am, 'Other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—rise to 58% of the total. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a further change; while overall numbers are lower, the percentage of burglaries peaks at 23%. This suggests that while theft is a daytime concern, residential and business security is most at risk during the late-night hours. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) also show a high theft rate (58%), indicating that the start of the business day is another critical window for vigilance.

Nearby Area Comparison

In the context of the South Hams region, Dartmouth serves as a primary hub for activity, which is reflected in its crime statistics. Nearby settlements such as Kingswear, Stoke Fleming, Dittisham, and Strete all recorded a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people over the same period. These areas are significantly smaller and more rural, lacking the commercial and tourist infrastructure found in Dartmouth. While Dartmouth's rate of 69.0 is higher than these tranquil neighbours, it remains low by national standards. For those considering the region, Dartmouth offers a more active environment with a manageable crime rate, while the surrounding villages provide an almost crime-free, albeit much quieter, alternative.

Proactive Security for Dartmouth Properties

With property crime in Dartmouth at 23.0 per 1,000 residents and an increasing trend of 11.6%, residents should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV cameras are reactive; they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, which often does little to help recover stolen property or prevent the initial trauma.

The scOS home security operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats before they escalate. By monitoring your property boundary in real-time, scOS can distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio alerts, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area like Dartmouth, where shoplifting and 'other theft' are more common than burglary, scOS's ability to identify suspicious patterns and unauthorised vehicles—using DVLA verification—provides a comprehensive shield. Investing in proactive protection ensures your home is not just recording the local crime trend, but actively resisting it.