Dartmouth Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Dartmouth's crime rate for December 2025 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 27.1% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This relatively low rate aligns with the area's character as a coastal built-up area within South Hams, where seasonal factors and local demographics may contribute to a distinct crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 59.3% of all reported crimes, making them the most prevalent category, followed by 'Other crime' at 11.1% and 'Criminal damage and arson' at 7.4%. The dominance of violent crimes in the area's crime mix contrasts with the UK average, where the same category constitutes a smaller share of total incidents. This pattern may reflect Dartmouth's mix of residential and tourist activity, particularly during the festive season when dark evenings and holiday-related events could create conditions conducive to such offences. Seasonal factors, including the Christmas shopping peak and the party season, likely influenced the crime profile, though the overall rate remains well below the national benchmark. The lower property crime rate — with only 6 incidents reported — further supports the idea that the area's built-up character, with increased surveillance or community policing, contributes to its relatively safe environment. However, the sharp rise in 'Other crime' and the notable increase in violent offences suggest that local conditions and seasonal fluctuations continue to shape the area's crime dynamics in complex ways.

December 2025 saw two categories experience a 100% month-on-month increase: 'Other crime' (rising from 0 to 3 incidents) and 'Criminal damage and arson' (from 1 to 2 incidents). This sharp rise in 'Other crime' — which includes non-specific or unclassified offences — may reflect a shift in reporting patterns or increased police visibility during the festive season. Meanwhile, 'Violence and sexual offences' climbed by 23.1% to 16 incidents, marking the most significant proportional increase in this category. This rise contrasts with the UK average for this category, which is 2.6 per 1,000, a figure 17% lower than Dartmouth's rate. The area's 'Other crime' category, however, far exceeds the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000, standing at 0.6 per 1,000 — a 275% surplus. These disparities highlight the unique dynamics of local crime, with certain categories showing marked divergence from national trends. Residents may find the 100% increase in 'Other crime' particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a sudden shift in the types of offences being recorded.

Dartmouth's crime rate in December 2025 rose by 12.6% compared to November 2025, moving from 4.5 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though notable, still places the area 27.1% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that reflects both local conditions and seasonal factors. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 197 residents during the month — a rate that, while showing a slight upward trend, remains significantly lower than the UK average. The population context of 5,307 residents further underscores the relatively low volume of crimes reported, even as specific categories like violence and sexual offences saw notable increases. This suggests that while the overall rate is rising, the area's crime profile remains distinct from the national picture, with localized factors likely playing a role in shaping these trends.