Kingsbridge Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 saw a stark anomaly in Kingsbridge’s crime profile: a 600% surge in violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 43.8% of all reported incidents. This marked departure from typical patterns, where property crimes usually dominate, highlights an unusual shift in criminal activity. The overall crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents—66.7% below the UK average of 7.5—reflects the built-up area’s continued relative safety, though the violent crime spike introduces a new dimension to the local crime picture. Seasonal factors may have played a role, with Bonfire Night and the onset of darker evenings potentially contributing to increased tensions. Anti-social behaviour, which made up 18.8% of incidents, also fell by 50% from October, suggesting a temporary calming of public order issues. The area’s low crime rate, despite the violent crime spike, is consistent with its character as a relatively rural built-up area where community cohesion and limited urban density may naturally suppress broader criminal activity. However, the 600% increase in violent crime raises questions about specific triggers, whether linked to seasonal events or other local dynamics. While shoplifting fell sharply—66.7% below October levels—the absence of significant spikes in other property crimes indicates a combination of factors influencing criminal decision-making in the area.

Violence and sexual offences surged by 600% in November, rising from one incident to seven. This dramatic increase, though still below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (58% lower), contrasts sharply with the 66.7% reduction in shoplifting, which fell from three to one. The spike in violent crime may partly explain the shift in the crime mix, with property crimes now accounting for just 31.3% of total incidents compared to 43.8% for violent offences. Criminal damage and arson also saw a 300% increase, jumping from one to four incidents, a figure that aligns with the seasonal context of Bonfire Night. Possession of weapons—a category 233% above the UK average—rose from zero to one incident, a development that could signal emerging patterns warranting local attention. Residents may find the 66.7% drop in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it suggests a temporary shift in criminal activity away from retail spaces during the Black Friday shopping period.

Kingsbridge's crime rate in November 2023 rose 14.4% compared to the previous month, climbing from 2.2 to 2.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest in absolute terms, reflects a shift in crime patterns over the 30-day period. Locally, the area experienced one reported crime per day on average, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 394 residents—a rate that, while low, underscores the relative safety of the built-up area within South Hams. When scaled to the population of 6,298, this monthly exposure rate highlights the rarity of incidents in a community where crime remains far below national averages. The absence of a UK daily crime comparison is intentional, as local conditions and population density create unique dynamics that cannot be directly extrapolated from national figures. This monthly exposure metric, however, offers a tangible snapshot of how frequently crime intersects with daily life in Kingsbridge.