Kingsbridge Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Kingsbridge, a built-up area within South Hams, continues to demonstrate a markedly lower crime rate than the UK average, with 4.5 crimes reported per 1,000 residents in August 2024—45.1% below the national figure of 8.2. This sustained safety profile contrasts sharply with the UK’s broader trend, reflecting the area’s character as a relatively tranquil, low-density community where tourism and seasonal rhythms shape local crime patterns. The most common crime type this month was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 35.7% of all reported incidents (10 cases), followed by violence and sexual offences (6 cases, 21.4%) and other theft (3 cases, 10.7%). While anti-social behaviour remains a local concern, its rate of 1.6 per 1,000 slightly exceeds the UK average of 1.4, suggesting potential links to summer activity in public spaces. Seasonal factors likely play a role in the crime profile: August, a peak holiday month, sees increased tourism, which may partly explain the 72% drop in shoplifting compared to July (from 3 to 1 incident). However, the same seasonal context could heighten burglary risks in unoccupied homes, consistent with the 52% below UK average rate for criminal damage and arson. The overall crime rate remains stable, but the mix of offences highlights the need for continued vigilance in specific areas, particularly as the month’s high temperatures and long evenings may influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order incidents.

August 2024 saw notable spikes in specific crime categories, with other theft, other crime, and bicycle theft all tripling from July levels. Other theft rose from 1 to 3 incidents—a 200% increase—while bicycle theft, which had not been reported in July, emerged as a new concern with one incident. These rises may reflect seasonal patterns, such as increased leisure activities or unsecured bicycles in public spaces during warmer weather. Conversely, drug-related crimes dropped by 90% (from 10 to 1), likely due to summer holidays reducing local demand or disrupting supply chains. The breakdown of crimes also reveals stark contrasts with the UK average: anti-social behaviour (11% above UK levels) and bicycle theft (122% above UK levels) stand out as local anomalies, whereas violence and sexual offences (63% below UK levels) and shoplifting (72% below UK levels) indicate a safer environment in those categories. Residents should be particularly aware of the 100% increase in bicycle theft, which may signal a growing vulnerability in local security practices. The sharp decline in drug-related crimes, though positive, could also indicate a temporary shift rather than a long-term trend, requiring further observation.

Compared to July 2024, the overall crime rate in Kingsbridge fell by 20.0%, from 5.6 to 4.5 per 1,000 residents—a decline that underscores the area’s consistently low crime levels relative to the UK. On a daily basis, the 28 total crimes reported in August equate to roughly one incident per day, a figure that, while locally specific, illustrates the rarity of criminal activity in this community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 225 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low and highlights the effectiveness of local policing or community cohesion in mitigating risks. When scaled to the area’s population of 6,298, this translates to a manageable burden on residents, though the recent spikes in bicycle theft and other theft necessitate targeted awareness. The previous month’s rate of 5.6 per 1,000 still places Kingsbridge well below the UK average, reinforcing its status as a relatively safe place to live. These figures, however, should not obscure the need for vigilance in specific areas, such as securing bicycles or addressing anti-social behaviour in public spaces. The comparison to the UK average also reveals that while violent crime remains low, the area’s unique challenges—such as the 122% above UK rate for bicycle theft—demand tailored solutions.