Dartmouth Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Dartmouth's crime rate in September 2025 stood at 7.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.4% above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure, though modest, reflects the area's unique position as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist activity. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.5% of all incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (17.5%) and other theft (17.5%). These patterns align with Dartmouth's character as a historic port town, where retail and leisure spaces may contribute to both violent and property-related crimes. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return of students to nearby universities and the start of the academic year—may have influenced these trends. For instance, the rise in shoplifting could be linked to the influx of young people during freshers' week, while the decline in anti-social behaviour might reflect the easing of summer crowds. However, the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson raises questions about potential vulnerabilities in local infrastructure or the impact of seasonal weather patterns. Despite these fluctuations, the overall rate remains relatively stable, suggesting that broader systemic factors may be at play rather than isolated incidents. The data also highlights the importance of context-specific analysis, as Dartmouth's crime profile differs from both urban and rural counterparts, with its own distinct rhythm shaped by tourism, maritime activity, and community dynamics.

September 2025 saw sharp increases in criminal damage and arson, which rose by 250% from two to seven incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, suggests heightened activity in property-related crimes, possibly linked to seasonal factors such as increased outdoor activity or the transition to cooler weather. Shoplifting also doubled, from two to four incidents, a trend that may reflect the influx of students and tourists during the university freshers' period. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 75%, from eight to two, a decrease that could indicate effective local interventions or natural fluctuations in community dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, fell slightly by 6.3% to 15 incidents. This decline contrasts with the UK average for this category, which was 2.6 per 1,000, though Dartmouth's rate of 2.8 per 1,000 remains 9% above. For residents, the rise in criminal damage and arson may warrant closer attention to local property security measures.

Dartmouth's crime rate remained stable in September 2025, matching the previous month's figure of 7.5 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no immediate spikes or dips in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 133 residents, a metric that reflects the monthly exposure rate but does not account for fluctuations in daily activity. This rate, while slightly above the UK average, remains relatively low compared to larger urban centres. The population of 5,307 means that the impact of each incident is magnified in smaller communities, where a single crime can feel more pronounced. The stable rate contrasts with the UK average, which is 7.4 per 1,000. For residents, the monthly exposure figure provides a tangible sense of how often crime intersects with daily life, even if the overall trend remains steady.