South Hams Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams’ crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents in June 2023 places it 76.5% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, illustrating a stark contrast to national trends. This figure underscores the area’s position as one of the UK’s safest regions, where crime rates are consistently lower than in urban and densely populated areas. The breakdown of crime types reveals that anti-social behaviour accounts for 40.9% of all recorded crimes, followed by violence and sexual offences at 32.6%. These figures suggest a crime profile that is heavily weighted toward low-severity, community-level issues rather than high-impact crimes such as burglary or violent offences. The seasonal context of June—marking the beginning of the summer tourist season—may have influenced local patterns, with increased visitor numbers potentially contributing to a rise in shoplifting and other property-related crimes. However, the overall rate remains well below UK averages, indicating that local factors such as effective policing strategies, geographic isolation, or strong community cohesion may play a significant role in maintaining low crime levels. The area’s rural character, with a population of 92,148 spread across a relatively low-density landscape, likely contributes to its crime profile, as rural regions often experience lower crime rates compared to urban counterparts. This data further highlights the importance of contextualising crime statistics within the unique demographic and geographic characteristics of the area, rather than drawing broad conclusions based on national averages alone.

June 2023 saw a 250% increase in shoplifting, rising from two to seven incidents, a sharp upward trend that may partly reflect the start of the summer tourist season. Concurrently, other crime and possession of weapons both doubled compared to May, though these remain low-frequency categories. In contrast, public order offences fell by 40%, and vehicle crime dropped by 33.3%, linked to reduced foot traffic or seasonal shifts in criminal activity. Anti-social behaviour, the most common crime type (40.9% of total), remained 46% below the UK average, while violence and sexual offences were 79% below the national rate. These figures highlight a crime profile skewed toward low-severity incidents, with property-related crimes (such as shoplifting and other theft) accounting for just 15.5% of all recorded crimes—far below the UK average for property crimes. Residents may find the 40.9% share of anti-social behaviour particularly notable, as it suggests a focus on community-level issues rather than high-impact crimes. The 250% surge in shoplifting, though modest in absolute terms, underscores the potential influence of seasonal factors, such as increased retail activity and visitor numbers, on local crime patterns.

South Hams’ crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents in June 2023 reflects a 27.3% increase from May’s 1.5 per 1,000.5% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This monthly exposure rate translates to approximately six reported crimes per day, a figure that, when scaled to the local population of 92,148, equates to one crime for every 509 residents over the course of the month. This low-frequency profile contrasts sharply with urban centres where higher population density and foot traffic often correlate with elevated crime rates. The population-scaled perspective further underscores how South Hams’ crime profile differs from denser regions, with its relatively sparse population and rural character likely contributing to the area’s continued status as one of the UK’s safest regions. While the increase from May to June may reflect heightened activity during the summer months, the overall trajectory remains firmly below UK averages, suggesting that local factors—such as community policing efforts or geographic characteristics—continue to play a role in maintaining lower crime levels. The daily crime count, though modest, provides a tangible metric for residents to contextualise their personal risk, offering reassurance that the area’s crime profile remains markedly distinct from national trends.