South Hams Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

South Hams recorded a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, marking a 42.6% reduction compared to the UK average of 6.8. This figure, while significantly lower than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal influences. The area's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 42.3% of all reported incidents, followed by other theft (15.3%) and criminal damage and arson (8.1%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for their respective categories, where violence and sexual offences are 32% below the national rate, while other theft is 30% above. The post-holiday period in January, characterised by shorter days and reduced retail activity, likely contributed to the overall crime profile, with fewer opportunities for property-related crimes but persistent challenges in violent incidents. The seasonal context suggests that the area's lower crime rate may be partly attributable to its rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density could act as natural deterrents. However, the rise in specific categories such as drug offences and burglary indicates that targeted interventions may be necessary to address emerging trends. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour and public order offences are significantly below UK averages, suggesting that local initiatives or environmental factors may be playing a role in maintaining lower levels of these crimes. As the month progresses, continued monitoring will be essential to determine whether these patterns are temporary or indicative of broader shifts in the area's crime dynamics.

The most significant month-on-month increase occurred in theft from the person, which doubled from zero to two incidents. Burglary also rose sharply by 77.8%, jumping from nine to 16 cases. This surge in property-related crimes contrasts with the 50% drop in bicycle theft, which fell from two to one incident. While violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.3% of all crimes, they remained 32% below the UK average. Other theft, however, stood out as 30% above the UK average, with 55 incidents reported. The rise in drug-related offences by 75% from four to seven cases adds another layer of complexity. These shifts in crime patterns suggest evolving challenges, even as the overall rate remains well below the national average. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas where unattended valuables may be targeted, given the sharp increase in theft from the person.

South Hams' crime rate in January 2026 rose by 22.6% compared to December 2025, moving from 3.2 to 3.9 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though still significantly below the UK average of 6.8, highlights a shift in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 12 crimes reported each day in January, a figure that, while manageable, underscores the need for vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 257 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than many comparable regions. With a population of 92,148, the relatively low crime rate reflects the area's characteristics, though the recent uptick in certain categories warrants attention. The population-scaled perspective shows that while crime is rare, the changes in specific offence types may signal underlying trends that require closer examination.