South Hams Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams' crime rate in May 2024 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 47.6% below the UK average of 8.4. This performance reflects a combination of effective policing and the area's geographical characteristics, which likely include a mix of rural and semi-rural landscapes with limited high-density urban zones. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (37.3% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.9%) and other theft (12.5%). These figures align with patterns typical of areas with seasonal fluctuations in social activity, as May's longer evenings and bank holidays may contribute to increased outdoor drinking and socialising. The violence and sexual offences rate of 1.7 per 1,000 is 40% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) is 52% below national levels. This suggests that community-based interventions and environmental factors—such as the presence of open spaces and lower population density—may play a role in mitigating certain types of crime. The 'other theft' category, which includes offences like vehicle-related crimes and shoplifting, remained slightly above the UK average by 3%, indicating a need for targeted measures in retail and transport sectors. The overall crime profile for South Hams illustrates a balance between consistent low-level crime and the impact of seasonal dynamics, with the area's unique character likely influencing both the types and frequencies of reported incidents.

May 2024 saw a stark 350% increase in 'other crime' reports, rising from 2 to 9 incidents. This category, which includes offences not easily classified elsewhere, may reflect unreported or evolving criminal activity. Shoplifting also rose sharply by 58.3%, with 19 incidents recorded compared to 12 in April, suggesting potential pressures on retail security during the month. Meanwhile, burglary decreased by 15.4%, from 13 to 11 cases, a trend consistent with broader reductions in property crimes across the area. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category at 152 incidents, yet this rate was 40% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. The contrast between rising 'other crime' and falling burglary highlights shifting priorities for local law enforcement and community awareness efforts.

South Hams' crime rate rose by 8.3% in May 2024 compared to April, moving from 4.1 to 4.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase aligns with the seasonal context of longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which may partly explain the rise in certain categories. Daily crime figures show 13 incidents reported each day in May, a manageable frequency for a local authority with a population of 92,148. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 226 residents, a statistic that contextualises the monthly exposure without overstating individual risk. While the overall rate remains 47.6% below the UK average, the shift in crime patterns highlights the dynamic nature of local security challenges. This comparison underscores that South Hams continues to perform significantly better than the national average, despite the month-on-month increase.