Malborough Crime Rate

Malborough is a very safe residential settlement with an overall crime rate of 33.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area a high safety score of 91/100. The crime trend in Malborough is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year increase of 3.0%. This consistency reinforces the area's reputation as a secure and peaceful community within South Hams. While violence and sexual offences are the most common reports, the volume of property-related crime, particularly burglary, is a notable factor for residents to consider. For those living in or moving to Malborough, these statistics offer a high degree of reassurance regarding local safety and security.

Crime in Malborough

Malborough's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 52.9% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by burglary at 10.3%, and both anti-social behaviour and public order offences at 8.8% each. Other common reports include other theft and criminal damage, each making up 5.9% of the total.

Property crime in Malborough, including burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offences, occurs at a rate of 7.8 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.9, making Malborough a very safe environment for homeowners. Burglary specifically accounts for 10.3% of total crimes, and vehicle crime is recorded at 1.5%. For residents, these figures suggest that while the area is generally quiet, residential burglary is a more significant concern than car theft. The data shows that burglary is particularly prevalent at night, making up 57% of incidents in that period. This indicates that proactive home security is important for maintaining the high safety standards of the community.

Crime Trends in Malborough

The crime trend in Malborough is currently stable, with a slight year-over-year increase of 3.0%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows a generally low crime rate, typically ranging between 1.0 and 4.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. The lowest points were recorded in November 2024 and February 2025 (1.0), while the highest peaks occurred in December 2024, January 2025, April 2025, and May 2025 (all at 4.4).

Other notable months include March 2025 (3.4) and September 2025 (3.0). These fluctuations are common in smaller populations where a few isolated incidents can impact the statistical rate, but the overall trend remains very consistent. The minor increase in crime over the last 12 months suggests that Malborough is maintaining its safety and that local security efforts are effective. For residents, this stable trend provides peace of mind that the area maintains its status as a highly secure and peaceful community. Overall, Malborough continues to be one of the safest areas in the region with a very reliable safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Malborough

The most common crime in Malborough is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 52.9% of total reports. While the area is generally very safe, maintaining personal awareness is important for community security.

To stay safe in Malborough:

1. Be mindful of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening hours or in less populated residential areas.
2. Ensure your home is secure, as burglary is a notable factor, peaking at 57% at night and 46-47% during the afternoon and evening.
3. Keep your home's exterior well-lit to discourage anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which are also recorded in the area.
4. Report any suspicious activity or unusual loitering to the local non-emergency line to help maintain the area’s stable crime trend.
5. Consider joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme to enhance community vigilance and keep Malborough as one of the safest areas in South Hams.

Crime Timing in Malborough

Crime in Malborough shows distinct trends depending on the time of day. Morning and afternoon hours are primarily characterised by theft-related offences (37-40%), suggesting that opportunistic property crimes are more likely during the day.

The evening and night-time periods see a significant shift. In the evening (6pm - 12am), burglary accounts for 47% of incidents, alongside public order and anti-social behaviour. However, the most critical trend occurs during the night (12am - 6am), where burglary spikes dramatically to 57% of all recorded offences in that window. Vehicle crime also remains a factor at night, making up 13% of reports. These patterns indicate that while daytime security should focus on preventing theft, night-time vigilance is absolutely essential for home protection, which becomes the dominant concern after midnight.

Comparing Malborough to its immediate neighbours shows it is a very safe area within the local cluster. It is more secure than Salcombe, which has a higher crime rate of 44.8 per 1,000 residents. Malborough’s rate of 33.4 is significantly higher than the tiny hamlets of Inner Hope, South Milton, and Thurlestone, which all recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000. For residents, this positions Malborough as a high-performing area for safety within the region, offering a very low-crime environment compared to the national average.

Home Security and Prevention in Malborough

Malborough’s property crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 people is impressively low, but the presence of burglary warrants a proactive security strategy. A key insight from the data is that burglary is a significant factor, peaking dramatically at 57% of all incidents between 12am and 6am. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it's happened, which is of limited use for preventing break-ins.

For residents in Malborough, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative. Instead of just recording a burglary, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at the property line. It can automatically engage deterrents like lighting or audible warnings, destroying a criminal's confidence before they even reach your home. In an area like Malborough, where burglary is the most prominent concern at night, being the most difficult target on the street is often enough to make opportunistic thieves move on. Proactive AI security ensures that your home remains protected by an intelligent system that acts in real-time to prevent crime.