Dartmouth Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dartmouth’s crime profile in January 2024, accounting for 36.4% of all reported incidents. With a total crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents—43.2% below the UK average of 7.4—the area continues to outperform national trends, particularly in violent crime categories. This dominance of violence contrasts sharply with the low incidence of property crimes, which accounted for just 13.6% of total offences, reflecting the area’s coastal character and limited retail presence. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced tourist activity may have contributed to a shift in crime patterns, with fewer outdoor incidents and more concentrated interactions in social spaces. The low property crime rate, including only three property-related offences (theft, criminal damage, and drugs), may be consistent with Dartmouth’s compact built-up area and the absence of large commercial hubs that typically drive shoplifting or vehicle crime. However, the sharp rise in public order and drugs-related offences—both tripling from zero to three incidents—suggests new challenges, linked to transient populations or localized spikes in illicit activity. While the overall rate remains stable compared to the previous month, the seasonal context of January—marked by colder weather and post-Christmas lulls—may have influenced both the types and frequencies of reported crimes, with violence and sexual offences likely shaped by reduced social activity and more confined interactions in the area’s smaller, more densely populated spaces.

January 2024 saw notable increases in public order offences, drugs-related crimes, and possession of weapons, all tripling from zero to three incidents. These jumps, though small in absolute terms, suggest emerging local pressures or shifts in policing priorities. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and other theft fell by 66.7% and 50.0% respectively, indicating potential improvements in community engagement or targeted interventions. The dominance of violence and sexual offences—36.4% of total crimes—remains striking, with this category 42% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Such a disparity may reflect Dartmouth’s unique demographic, where transient visitors and seasonal tourism could dilute the impact of long-term local tensions. Residents may find the 36.4% share of violent crime particularly noteworthy, as it underscores the need for targeted safety measures during the post-holiday period, when shorter days and reduced footfall might concentrate interactions in specific areas.

Dartmouth’s crime rate in January 2024 remained unchanged from the previous month, maintaining a stable figure of 4.2 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in local patterns, though the low overall rate—43.2% below the UK average—continues to highlight the area’s relative safety. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while modest, reflects the small population of 5,307 residents. Monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 241 residents, a ratio that, when considered alongside Dartmouth’s coastal character and seasonal rhythms, may indicate the influence of transient populations or localized incidents. The absence of significant month-on-month fluctuations contrasts with the UK-wide trends, where January typically sees spikes in alcohol-related violence or retail theft, yet Dartmouth’s data shows no such pattern. This stability, combined with the area’s low population density and tourism-driven economy, may contribute to its consistently lower crime rates compared to national averages.