South Hams Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams maintained a crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents in December 2025, a figure that places it 54.3% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This performance underscores the area’s consistent safety, a trend that has likely been reinforced by the seasonal context of the month. December, with its long nights and holiday-related activity, typically sees spikes in certain crime types, yet South Hams’ data shows a balanced profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 47.1% of all crimes, a category where the local rate was 42% lower than the UK average. Other theft and anti-social behaviour followed, with the latter’s rate 68% below the national benchmark. The area’s low crime profile is further supported by its significantly lower rates in categories like shoplifting (82% below UK average) and vehicle crime (73% below). These figures suggest a community where crime is not only rare but also concentrated in specific categories. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the potential for empty homes during holidays—likely contributed to the persistence of violence and sexual offences, which remain the most common crime type. However, the overall stability of the area’s crime picture, even amid these factors, highlights the effectiveness of local measures in maintaining safety. The low rates of property crimes, particularly shoplifting and burglary, may reflect the nature of South Hams as a largely rural or semi-rural district, where retail and residential areas are less densely populated and more accessible to policing. This combination of geographic and seasonal factors likely plays a role in the area’s ability to keep crime rates well below the national average, even during months that typically see increased activity in certain categories.

December 2025 saw notable decreases in several crime categories, including a 34% drop in anti-social behaviour and a 33.3% reduction in drug-related offences. These declines suggest a possible correlation with seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings and reduced social activity during the holiday period. However, vehicle crime surged by 100%, rising from 4 to 8 incidents, a shift that may reflect increased car usage during the festive season or targeted thefts in less populated areas. Meanwhile, bicycle theft and robbery each doubled, highlighting specific vulnerabilities that could be linked to Christmas shopping activity or increased visibility of personal property. The most significant improvement came in the category of 'other crime,' which fell by 60%, indicating a broader trend of reduced non-specific incidents. For residents, the 54.3% gap between South Hams’ rate and the UK average remains a key point of comparison, reinforcing the area’s relative safety despite localized fluctuations.

South Hams' crime rate in December 2025 fell to 3.2 per 1,000 residents, a 6.7% drop from the previous month’s 3.4 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the area’s consistently low crime profile, which remains 54.3% below the UK average. Over 31 days, the district recorded roughly 9 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the area’s smaller population and lower density compared to major urban centres. When scaled to the population of 92,148, the monthly exposure rate means one crime occurred for every 314 residents. This statistic underscores the rarity of crime in South Hams, particularly when compared to national averages. The decrease in anti-social behaviour and drug-related incidents further reinforces the stability of the local environment, though the rise in vehicle crime suggests shifting patterns that warrant closer attention. These figures illustrate an area where crime remains a rare occurrence, with most residents unlikely to encounter it in their daily lives.