Dartmouth Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dartmouth's August 2023 crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents places it 50.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a stark contrast to national trends. The area's crime profile is dominated by anti-social behaviour (42.9% of all incidents), violence and sexual offences (28.6%), and vehicle crime (9.5%). This mix diverges from typical urban patterns, with property crimes (11.4%) far below the UK's property crime dominance. The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month for Dartmouth's coastal tourism—may partly explain the prominence of anti-social behaviour, as transient populations can amplify such incidents. However, the absence of a corresponding rise in burglary or vehicle crime, which are often linked to summer tourism, suggests a combination of local factors. The town's compact built-up area and strong community networks may contribute to lower rates of certain crimes, though the 100% increase in theft from the person remains unexplained by the available data. This anomaly highlights the need for continued monitoring of emerging patterns, particularly in a region where tourism and seasonal rhythms shape local dynamics.

August 2023 saw a 100% increase in theft from the person, rising from zero to one incident—a stark anomaly in Dartmouth's typically low crime profile. Anti-social behaviour also surged by 50%, climbing from six to nine incidents, a figure that is 18% above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000. This category's prominence may partly reflect the influx of holidaymakers during the peak tourist season, though the town's compact size could amplify the visibility of such incidents. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained at six incidents, 58% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, suggesting a continued divergence from national trends in this category. The absence of burglary or vehicle crime increases contrasts with seasonal expectations, as August typically sees higher risks due to empty homes and increased foot traffic. These divergent patterns may indicate a combination of effective local policing and the area's unique demographic characteristics.

Dartmouth's August 2023 crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 39.9% increase from July's 2.8 per 1,000, reflecting a noticeable upward trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 253 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the town's population of 5,307. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime per day, a rate that aligns with the low overall crime profile typical of Dartmouth. This monthly exposure figure, while modest, underscores the importance of local awareness and community engagement in maintaining safety. The increase from July may partly explain the shift in crime patterns without further data. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even small changes in crime counts can have meaningful impacts on perceived safety, particularly in a small built-up area where community cohesion is central to security.