Kingsbridge Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Kingsbridge’s crime rate in January 2024 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 29.7% below the UK average of 7.4. This performance, while modest in absolute terms, reflects the area’s unique characteristics as a built-up region within South Hams, where the interplay of seasonal trends and local demographics shapes crime patterns. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (24.2% of total), followed by criminal damage and arson (21.2%) and anti-social behaviour (21.2%). These figures contrast with the UK averages, where violence and sexual offences are 50% lower nationally, but criminal damage and arson are 93% higher. The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter days — likely contributes to the lower rates of outdoor crimes and higher rates of property-related incidents. The decline in public order offences and anti-social behaviour aligns with the typical reduction in social events during the month, though the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson remains unexplained by available data. Kingsbridge’s position as a smaller, more tightly knit community may also play a role in its lower overall crime rate compared to larger urban areas, where anonymity and higher population density often correlate with increased criminal activity. The data highlights a balance between localised challenges, such as the spike in property crime, and broader national trends, offering a nuanced picture of the area’s security profile.

January 2024 saw a 150% rise in shoplifting, with incidents jumping from 2 to 5. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, outpaced the UK average for the category by 40%. Conversely, public order offences fell sharply by 66.7%, dropping from 3 to 1 — a trend consistent with the post-holiday lull in social gatherings typical of January. Anti-social behaviour also declined by 50%, from 14 to 7, suggesting a potential reduction in community tensions or seasonal factors influencing behaviour. The most striking anomaly was the 93% surge in criminal damage and arson, which reached 7 cases — far exceeding the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This divergence highlights a localised issue not mirrored nationally, though no direct cause is evident from the data. For residents, the 200% increase in other thefts (from 1 to 3) underscores the need for vigilance in securing personal property, particularly in the context of reduced retail activity.

Kingsbridge's crime rate in January 2024 fell to 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 21.4% drop from the previous month's rate of 6.7. This decline positions the area as one of the safer built-up regions in the UK, with a crime rate 29.7% below the national average. Daily crime statistics reveal a localised figure of roughly one reported crime per day over the 31-day period — a rate that, while low, reflects the area’s small population of 6,298. When scaled to the entire population, the monthly exposure translates to one crime occurring for every 191 residents. This statistic provides a tangible perspective for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is relatively low compared to larger urban centres. The drop in anti-social behaviour and public order offences, alongside the sharp increase in shoplifting, suggests shifts in local activity patterns. These changes, while not directly linked to broader socio-economic factors, align with seasonal trends typical of post-holiday periods, where retail footfall and outdoor activity may influence crime dynamics.