Dartmouth Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In July 2023, Dartmouth, a coastal town in South Hams, recorded 15 crimes across its population of 5,307 residents, resulting in a crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 people—66.3% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This figure, while showing a 15.5% increase from the previous month, remains exceptionally low by national standards and reflects the area's unique demographic and geographic profile. The most prevalent crime type was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 40% of all incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (26.7%) and vehicle crime (13.3%). These patterns align with the characteristics of a tourist-driven community, where anti-social behaviour often escalates during the summer months due to increased visitor numbers and the concentration of activity in public spaces. The low rate of property crimes—only 5 incidents (33.3% of total)—suggests that the town's compact built-up area and strong community policing efforts may contribute to this outcome. Seasonal factors, including the peak of the tourist season and the timing of festivals, likely influenced the distribution of crime types. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the rise in anti-social behaviour highlights the need for continued monitoring of how temporary populations affect local safety dynamics. The data also shows that Dartmouth's violent crime rate is 71% below the UK average, a testament to the town's relative tranquillity despite its popularity as a holiday destination.

July 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour doubling from 3 to 6 incidents—a 100% increase. This surge, while concerning, aligns with the seasonal influx of tourists and the heightened activity in public spaces during summer. Vehicle crime also rose sharply, with two reported incidents compared to none in June, likely linked to the increased presence of temporary vehicles and the area's coastal location. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 20%, from 5 to 4, a trend consistent with the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000 for this category. The most striking anomaly was the 100% rise in other theft, with one incident reported—though this remains below the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. These fluctuations underscore the challenges of managing public safety in a tourist-dependent area, where seasonal dynamics can amplify or mitigate specific crime types.

Dartmouth's crime rate in July 2023 rose to 2.8 per 1,000 residents, a 15.5% increase from the previous month's 2.5 per 1,000. This shift, though modest, reflects a broader seasonal pattern typical of coastal towns during peak summer months. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 0 crimes per day over July, a statistic that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents despite increased foot traffic from tourism. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 354 residents, a figure that remains exceptionally low compared to the UK average. This context is critical for residents: even with the slight upward trend, the area's crime profile continues to reflect the characteristics of a small, tourist-focused community where most incidents are minor and localized. The low daily crime count suggests that public safety measures, combined with the natural deterrent of a close-knit community, may play a role in keeping serious crime at bay.