South Hams Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams recorded a crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents in May 2023, placing it 81.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure reflects a persistent trend of low crime levels in the area, which has consistently outperformed national benchmarks. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (38.7% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (32.4%) and criminal damage and arson (8.5%). These patterns align with the area's character as a largely rural district with a mix of coastal and agricultural landscapes, where community cohesion and limited urban density may contribute to lower violent crime rates. Seasonal factors in May—longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely influenced the rise in anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related incidents. While the overall crime rate remained low, the proportion of violent crimes (55 total) was higher than property crimes (35 total), a shift from earlier months when property crime dominated. This balance suggests a combination of local demographics and seasonal activity patterns from the data alone.

May 2023 saw a 3.4% increase in the overall crime rate compared to April, with specific shifts in crime types. Theft from the person doubled (0 to 1 incident) and bicycle theft rose by 100% (0 to 1), both likely linked to increased outdoor activity during longer evenings. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 75% (8 to 2) and other theft dropped by 62.5% (16 to 6), possibly reflecting seasonal changes in retail footfall or targeted policing efforts. Violent crimes remained 78% below the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour was 62% below the UK rate (0.5 per 1,000). The area's violent crime rate (55 incidents) accounted for 38.7% of total crimes, a notable share in a region typically associated with lower violent crime. Residents may find the 55% reduction in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it suggests a potential decrease in targeted retail theft during the month. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, influenced by both seasonal rhythms and community-specific factors.

The crime rate in South Hams rose slightly to 1.5 per 1,000 in May 2023, up 3.4% from the previous month. This translates to an average of 5 crimes per day across the district's population of 92,148 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 649 residents, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents within the local population. When compared to the UK average, South Hams remains significantly safer, with its overall crime rate 81.2% below the national average. This disparity is particularly stark in categories like violent crime, which is 78% below the UK rate, and anti-social behaviour, 62% below. The daily crime count of 5 is lower than the UK average of approximately 22 crimes per day in similar-sized areas, reflecting the area's rural character and lower population density. For residents, this means that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is substantially reduced compared to most other parts of the country, though the slight monthly increase underscores the need for continued monitoring of local patterns.