Dartmouth Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dartmouth’s crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 38.1% of all reported incidents. With 8 cases recorded, this category marked a 50% decrease from December’s 16, a shift consistent with the post-holiday period’s reduced retail and leisure activity. The overall crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents placed the area 41.2% below the UK average of 6.8, underscoring its relative safety compared to the national picture. Vehicle crime, however, emerged as a notable outlier, with 4 incidents reported—116% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. This discrepancy may be influenced by Dartmouth’s coastal geography, which likely sees increased vehicle movement due to tourism infrastructure or seasonal traffic. The month’s crime picture was further shaped by seasonal context: shorter days and post-holiday lulls in retail footfall likely contributed to lower rates of property crime, which accounted for 42.9% of total incidents (9 cases). Criminal damage and arson, at 3 cases, and drugs, at 2 cases, also contributed to the mix, though these categories remained within or slightly above the UK average. The area’s low overall crime rate, combined with its coastal character, suggests that local factors such as tourism management and community policing may play a role in maintaining safety, even as specific categories like vehicle crime remain elevated.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 50% reduction in violence and sexual offences, dropping from 16 incidents in December to 8. This decline aligns with the post-holiday period, when reduced footfall in retail and leisure areas may have limited opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, vehicle crime rose sharply by 100%, with four incidents reported—quadruple the previous month’s count. This increase, which places the category 116% above the UK average, may reflect heightened traffic during the Christmas holiday period or other local events. Drug-related crimes also doubled, reaching two incidents in January, a figure that exceeds the UK average by 43%. Anti-social behaviour emerged as a new category in January, with one incident reported—marking a 100% increase from December. These shifts highlight a combination of seasonal patterns and localized factors, with vehicle crime and drug-related activity standing out as areas requiring closer attention.

Dartmouth's crime rate in January 2026 dropped to 4.0 per 1,000 residents, a 22.2% decrease from December's 5.1 per 1,000. This places the area significantly below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, with the gap widening by 41.2% compared to the national figure. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a statistic that translates to a low-frequency exposure for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 253 residents, a figure that underscores the area’s relatively safe environment when viewed through a population-scaled lens. While the overall trend is downward, specific categories like vehicle crime remain higher than the UK average, suggesting local factors—such as proximity to major transport routes or seasonal traffic patterns—may play a role in this divergence. This contrast between overall safety and certain elevated categories highlights the need for targeted local analysis.