Kingsbridge Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Kingsbridge’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 8.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.9% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This disparity highlights a distinct local profile compared to the national picture, where violent crime rates are typically lower. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, contributing 43.6% of all reported incidents—well above the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 (2.5 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson followed closely, both significantly exceeding national benchmarks. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely contributes to the pattern, though the elevated levels of violent crime suggest other factors at play. The area’s character as a built-up district within South Hams, with a mix of residential and commercial spaces, may explain the higher incidence of public order and anti-social behaviour compared to more rural or isolated communities. While January typically sees a dip in outdoor crimes due to colder weather, the persistence of violent incidents indicates potential vulnerabilities in community safety frameworks or unmet policing needs. The data underscores a need for targeted interventions, particularly in addressing the root causes of violence and disorder, which appear to be more pronounced in this area than in the UK as a whole.

January 2026 saw dramatic month-on-month increases in several crime categories, most public order offences, which surged by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and criminal damage and arson, which doubled to 6 incidents. These spikes suggest a sudden escalation in community tensions or disruptions, possibly linked to seasonal transitions or localized issues. Other theft, a category typically low in Kingsbridge, also rose by 100% (from 0 to 2 incidents), indicating a shift in criminal activity patterns. Violent crime rates in the area remain starkly above the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 3.8 per 1,000—52% higher than the national figure. This divergence is particularly concerning given the area’s relatively small population and built-up nature, which may create concentrated hotspots for violent incidents. Conversely, categories like vehicle crime and burglary are significantly below UK averages, with vehicle crime at 0.2 per 1,000 (46% below the UK rate) and burglary at 0.2 per 1,000 (29% below). This contrast suggests that while certain aspects of crime are amplified in Kingsbridge, others—due to lower population density or specific local deterrents—are mitigated. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the sharp rise in public order offences, which may impact daily life and community cohesion.

Kingsbridge’s crime rate in January 2026 rose sharply from 4.9 per 1,000 in December, marking a 77.4% increase. This surge places the area’s monthly exposure at a rate where one reported crime occurred for roughly every 115 residents—a figure that, while not extreme, underscores the volatility of local crime trends. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day, a statistic that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. When scaled to population size, the monthly exposure of 1-in-115 residents highlights the disproportionate impact of crime on Kingsbridge’s community compared to the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be lower. This discrepancy may be attributed to the area’s unique demographic composition and spatial characteristics, such as its proximity to tourist routes or commuter pathways, which could inadvertently create environments conducive to certain types of crime. The comparison with the UK average also reveals that while property crimes like burglary and vehicle crime are below national levels, the overrepresentation of violent and disorderly offences suggests a need for tailored policing strategies. The contrast between Kingsbridge’s crime profile and the UK average illustrates the importance of localized analysis, as national statistics can mask significant variations in specific communities.