Dartmouth Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dartmouth's built-up area within South Hams recorded a crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents in September 2023, placing it 60% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area's relative safety compared to the national context, where crime rates are significantly higher. The breakdown of crimes reveals that anti-social behaviour was the most common type, accounting for 29.4% of all incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (17.7%) and criminal damage and arson (17.7%). These patterns align with Dartmouth's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where anti-social behaviour may be influenced by seasonal factors such as the start of the academic year and reduced tourist activity. The low rate of violent crimes, which are 78% below the UK average, may be attributed to the area's smaller population and strong community networks, which can act as a deterrent. The seasonal context of September, marked by the transition from summer to autumn, likely played a role in shaping these trends, as the start of the school term and shorter evenings may have reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the increase in possession of weapons, which is 186% above the UK average, highlights a specific concern that requires further attention, despite the small number of incidents. Overall, the data suggests a generally low-crime environment in Dartmouth, with fluctuations in specific categories that may reflect both local dynamics and broader seasonal influences.

September 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with possession of weapons and shoplifting each rising by 100% compared to August, while violence and sexual offences dropped by 50%. These changes highlight a shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences maintaining a higher proportion than violent crimes. Anti-social behaviour, which made up nearly 30% of all reported crimes, decreased sharply from 9 to 5 incidents, a 44.4% reduction. This decline is particularly notable given the area's seasonal context, as back-to-school activities and the start of the academic year may have contributed to increased community engagement and reduced opportunities for anti-social acts. Conversely, the 100% increase in shoplifting incidents may be linked to the start of the autumn retail season, though the rate remains below the UK average. The possession of weapons category, which rose from zero to one incident, is 186% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, a figure that warrants attention despite the small number of incidents.

Dartmouth's September 2023 crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents marks a 19.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.0 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day in September, a figure that aligns with the low overall crime rate. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 312 residents, illustrating the relatively low exposure to crime in this built-up area. With a population of 5,307, the monthly exposure figure suggests that the vast majority of residents are unlikely to encounter crime in their daily lives. This context is particularly relevant for local residents and visitors, as it underscores the area's safety profile compared to the broader UK context, where the average rate is significantly higher at 8.0 per 1,000. The reduction in crime rate from August to September may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as the transition from summer to autumn, which often sees a decrease in outdoor activity and tourist presence in coastal towns like Dartmouth.