South Hams Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams’ crime profile in January 2025 reveals a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics. While the overall crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents remains 46.5% below the UK average, the month saw notable shifts in crime types and frequencies. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 39.4% of all reported crimes — a rate of 1.5 per 1,000, 40% below the UK average. This suggests that while interpersonal violence persists, its incidence is lower than in most parts of the country. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also fell well below national averages, with rates 59% and 22% lower respectively. The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail activity — may have influenced patterns, though the area’s rural character likely contributes to lower overall crime levels. The dominance of violence over property crime (39.4% vs 32%) contrasts with urban centres, where shoplifting and vehicle crime often dominate. This mix aligns with South Hams’ demographic profile, where community interactions and local disputes may drive violent crime more than commercial theft. However, the sharp rise in public order crimes — up 200% from December — signals a potential shift in local dynamics. This increase, while still modest in absolute terms, deserves closer attention, particularly in public spaces where incidents have surged. The area’s lower population density and rural setting may mean that such incidents are more visible or concentrated in specific locations, requiring targeted community engagement. Overall, the data underscores South Hams’ relative safety compared to the UK, but highlights the need for vigilance in addressing emerging trends.

Public order crimes surged by 200% in January 2025, jumping from seven to 21 incidents. This spike, while still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000 (which is 57% below the local rate), suggests heightened tensions in community spaces. Other crime also rose sharply, increasing by 157.1% to 18 incidents — a category that includes fraud and cybercrime, which may have been underreported in previous months. Shoplifting saw a 122.2% increase, climbing from nine to 20 incidents, potentially linked to reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 40%, from 15 to nine incidents, due to colder weather deterring outdoor crimes. The balance of crime types shifted slightly, with violent crimes (39.4% of total) maintaining their dominance over property crimes (32% of total). This mix aligns with South Hams’ rural character, where interpersonal disputes may outweigh commercial theft. Residents should be particularly vigilant in public spaces, where the 200% jump in public order crimes indicates a need for community awareness.

South Hams' crime rate in January 2025 rose 17.3% compared to December 2024, marking the first increase in the past year. This brings the current rate to 3.8 per 1,000 residents, still 46.5% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. With 350 crimes reported over 31 days, the area saw an average of 11 crimes per day — a figure that, while low by UK standards, reflects local patterns. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 263 residents, a monthly exposure rate that aligns with the area’s rural character and lower population density. This statistic contrasts with UK-wide averages, which often reflect higher urban crime concentrations. The shift from December’s 3.2 per 1,000 to January’s 3.8 per 1,000 suggests seasonal factors may have influenced reporting, though the overall rate remains firmly below national levels. The population-scaled perspective shows that while crime is not negligible, its frequency is proportionally lower than in more densely populated regions.