Dartmouth Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dartmouth's crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents in October 2023 places it 65% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This stark contrast to national figures highlights the area's relatively low crime profile, a pattern consistent with Dartmouth's character as a coastal town with a strong sense of community and limited urban density. Anti-social behaviour accounted for 26.7% of all reported crimes, followed by shoplifting (20.0%) and violence and sexual offences (13.3%). These figures align with Dartmouth's seasonal rhythms, where October's darker evenings and Halloween-related activity may contribute to increased anti-social behaviour. The town's small population and proximity to natural landscapes likely play a role in maintaining lower overall crime rates compared to larger urban centres. Property crimes dominated the breakdown, reflecting the presence of retail and tourist activity in the area.6 per 1,000 for shoplifting remains slightly above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Violent crime, at 0.4 per 1,000, is 85% below the UK average, consistent with the area's low population density and community-oriented environment. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, Halloween, and the transition to colder weather—may influence patterns of anti-social behaviour from the data alone.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with public order offences and theft from the person both increasing by 100% compared to September. These jumps, from zero to one reported incident each, may reflect the impact of Halloween-related activity or transient visitors in the area. Vehicle crime also rose by 100%, potentially linked to increased foot traffic in the town centre or changes in parking patterns. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 66.7%, from three to one incident, due to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity or focused enforcement efforts. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 33.3%, from three to two incidents, though this remains significantly below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, the most common category, fell by 20% compared to September, despite remaining 38% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000. This suggests that while local efforts may be addressing certain issues, the overall low crime environment persists. The rate of shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) is 3% above the UK average, a small but notable discrepancy that may reflect the town's retail presence and tourist activity. Residents may find the monthly exposure figure—1 crime per 354 residents—useful for contextualising their personal risk level in the area.

Dartmouth's crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 in October 2023 represents an 11.6% decrease from September's 3.2 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend that positions the area well below national averages. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly zero crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this small community. When scaled to the population of 5,307 residents, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 354 residents over the course of the month—a rate that, while not zero, reflects the area's low-risk profile. This monthly exposure figure is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a concrete measure of individual likelihood rather than abstract per capita rates. The town's population size, combined with its coastal location and community-oriented culture, likely contribute to this lower baseline. While the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000 includes urban centres with higher population densities and more complex crime dynamics, Dartmouth's data illustrates how smaller, more tightly-knit communities can maintain lower crime rates through social cohesion and environmental factors. The comparison also highlights the importance of context: a 1-in-354 figure in Dartmouth is not directly comparable to similar metrics in larger areas, where population density and anonymity may influence crime patterns differently.