South Hams Crime Rate June 2025 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams' crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents in June 2025 places it 53.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently safer environment compared to national trends. This local authority district, which includes coastal and rural areas, sees violence and sexual offences as the most prevalent crime category, accounting for 44.1% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour follows at 20.1%, and criminal damage and arson at 10.6%. These patterns align with the area's character as a mix of open spaces and smaller communities, where social cohesion may contribute to lower rates of severe crime. June, the start of summer, typically sees increased tourism in coastal regions, which could influence crime dynamics through heightened foot traffic and longer daylight hours. However, the data does not show a significant spike in theft or vehicle-related crimes, which might suggest that local policing strategies or the area's natural geography—such as limited urban density—play a role in maintaining lower crime rates. The dominance of violent offences over property crimes contrasts with some UK regions, where property crime often exceeds violent crime. This may reflect the area's demographic profile, with a relatively older population and fewer commercial hubs compared to major cities. Seasonal factors, such as the start of the summer holiday season, may also explain the proportion of anti-social behaviour reported, as increased social activity in public spaces could lead to more incidents. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the breakdown of crime types offers insights into local challenges and priorities for community safety initiatives.

June 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary increasing by 20% (10 to 12 incidents) and other crime rising by 18.2% (11 to 13). These increases, though modest, contrast with sharp declines in other areas, including an 85.7% drop in possession of weapons (7 to 1) and a 60% reduction in vehicle crime (5 to 2). The proportion of violent offences—154 cases, or 44.1% of total crimes—remains significantly below the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000 (41% lower). This divergence from national trends underscores the area's unique profile, where community-focused policing and lower population density may mitigate opportunities for more severe crimes. Anti-social behaviour, at 20.1% of total crimes, also remains 44% below the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000, suggesting that local efforts to address minor disturbances have had a measurable impact. The sharp decline in drug-related offences (6 to 4, a 33.3% reduction) may reflect targeted interventions or seasonal shifts, as June marks the beginning of summer when recreational drug use might typically rise. Residents might find the 84% gap between South Hams' shoplifting rate (0.1 per 1,000) and the UK average (0.6 per 1,000) particularly relevant, as it indicates a lower risk of retail crime compared to national standards. These variations highlight the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention, balancing vigilance against emerging trends with the maintenance of the area's generally low crime environment.

In June 2025, South Hams' crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents marked a 6.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.0 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 12 crimes per day over the 30-day period, a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised within the local population of 92,148. This translates to one reported crime for roughly every 264 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many urban centres. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the absolute number of crimes, the per-capita rate remains well below national averages, reinforcing the area's status as a relatively safe place to live. Comparing this to the UK's overall crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000, South Hams' performance highlights the effectiveness of local crime prevention measures, particularly in reducing violent and property-related offences. The area's rural and semi-rural character, combined with a lower population density, may contribute to the lower incidence of crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft, which are more commonly associated with densely populated urban environments. This contrast with national trends underscores the importance of geographical and demographic factors in shaping crime profiles. For residents, the daily crime count and monthly exposure rate provide tangible metrics to assess safety, while the broader comparison to the UK average offers reassurance that South Hams continues to outperform national benchmarks in maintaining a secure community.