Dartmouth Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dartmouth's crime rate in May 2024 reached 10.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 19.0% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This marks a significant upward trend compared to the previous month's rate of 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a 47.3% increase. The breakdown reveals a concerning shift in crime patterns, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 41.5% of total reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.8%) and public order offences (11.3%). These figures suggest a growing challenge in managing community safety, particularly as May's longer evenings and bank holidays likely contribute to increased outdoor socialising and associated risks. The spike in violent crimes—22 incidents in total—far exceeds the UK average for this category (2.8 per 1,000), with Dartmouth's rate standing at 4.2 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also shows a stark divergence, with 2.1 per 1,000 reported, 45% above the UK average. While shoplifting and vehicle crime remain below UK levels, the disproportionate rise in violent and disorderly incidents demands urgent attention. Dartmouth's coastal location and seasonal tourism activity may intersect with these trends, though further analysis is needed to confirm potential links between local demographics and crime patterns. Residents should remain vigilant, particularly in areas frequented by transient populations or during late-night hours when alcohol consumption and public gatherings are more prevalent.

The most alarming trend in May 2024 was the 500.0% month-on-month increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 6 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100.0% rise in shoplifting (from 0 to 2) and other theft (from 3 to 6), indicates a shifting crime mix toward disorderly conduct and petty theft. Violence and sexual offences, at 22 incidents (4.2 per 1,000), remain 48% above the UK average for this category, suggesting a particular vulnerability in local safety frameworks. While shoplifting and vehicle crime are below UK averages, the sharp rise in public order offences—often linked to alcohol-fuelled disputes or unregulated gatherings—points to a potential pressure point for law enforcement. Residents may want to monitor areas around Dartmouth's waterfront or popular nightlife spots, where such incidents are more likely to occur. The data also reveals that anti-social behaviour, which rose 100.0% from 5.5 to 11 incidents, now accounts for 20.8% of all crimes, a figure 45% higher than the UK average. This could reflect seasonal factors such as extended daylight hours encouraging more public activity, though the exact drivers remain unclear without further investigation.

Dartmouth's crime rate in May 2024 (10.0 per 1,000) represents a stark contrast to the previous month's rate of 6.8 per 1,000, marking a 47.3% increase. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 2 crimes reported each day in the built-up area, a figure that, while not excessively high, signals a noticeable acceleration in criminal activity. When scaled to the local population of 5,307 residents, the monthly exposure equates to one reported crime for every 100 residents—a ratio that underscores the proximity of crime to everyday life in Dartmouth. This is particularly evident in the violent crime category, where the 4.2 per 1,000 rate (22 incidents) far outpaces the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. The population context further highlights the impact: in a community of just over 5,000 people, the 53 reported crimes mean that each resident has a 1-in-100 chance of being directly affected by crime over the course of the month. While the daily crime count may seem manageable, the concentration of incidents in specific categories—particularly violence and public order—suggests a need for targeted interventions. The comparison with the UK average also reveals that Dartmouth's anti-social behaviour rate (2.1 per 1,000) is 45% higher than the national figure, a disparity that may reflect local challenges in managing community spaces or addressing underlying social tensions.