South Hams Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In March 2024, South Hams recorded 323 crimes, equating to 3.5 crimes per 1,000 residents—a rate 54.5% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure, when contextualized for the area’s population of 92,148, represents a manageable burden, with crimes distributed across a range of categories that reflect local priorities and challenges. The top two crime types were violence and sexual offences (144 incidents, 44.6% of total) and anti-social behaviour (44 incidents, 13.6%), both of which remain significantly below UK averages. Violence and sexual offences, at 1.6 per 1,000, are 40% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour is 57% below the UK rate of 1.2 per 1,000. The seasonal transition to spring, with its longer evenings and changing social rhythms, likely plays a role in these patterns, as increased outdoor activity may contribute to higher reports of violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the area’s low rates in property-related crimes—such as burglary (0.1 per 1,000, 69% below the UK average) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000, 79% below)—suggest that community-focused policing and environmental factors, such as lower population density, may be mitigating risks. This data aligns with South Hams’ identity as a rural district, where lower urban density and strong local engagement likely reduce opportunities for certain types of crime.

March 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with theft from the person rising by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident), marking an unusual spike in this category. Vehicle crime also increased by 71.4%, reflecting a 50% jump from seven to 12 incidents—a change that may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased travel or changing daylight hours. Public order offences rose by 50%, from 10 to 15 incidents, potentially influenced by the transition to spring and extended evening activity. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 19.6% (from 46 to 37 incidents), while burglary decreased by 14.3% (from 7 to 6), suggesting a possible seasonal decline in property-related crimes. The area’s violence and sexual offences rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 40% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, a gap that underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies in managing high-risk incidents. These trends highlight both the volatility of specific crime types and the area’s broader success in maintaining low overall rates.

South Hams recorded 323 crimes in March 2024, translating to 10 crimes per day on average—a figure that places the area well below national averages for most crime types. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 285 residents, a ratio that reflects both the area’s relatively low crime rate and its population density. Compared to February’s rate of 3.2 per 1,000, the 8.3% increase to 3.5 per 1,000 suggests a slight uptick in activity. below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This contrast highlights the area’s consistent safety record, even as seasonal factors like longer evenings and the transition to spring may influence local patterns. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, for a community of 92,148 residents, the monthly crime burden is distributed across a broad base, with no single category dominating the statistics. This distribution aligns with the area’s character as a largely rural district, where lower population density and community-focused policing likely contribute to sustained low rates.