Totnes Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Totnes’ crime rate in March 2024 remained at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, placing the built-up area 6.5% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This consistent underperformance relative to national figures reflects Totnes’ character as a small, historic town with a compact built-up area, where community engagement and local policing likely play a role in maintaining lower crime levels. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.3% of all incidents, followed by other theft (20.0%) and criminal damage and arson (15.4%). These figures align with Totnes’ profile as a tourist destination and retail hub, where public spaces and high streets may contribute to higher rates of violence and property crimes. The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and the change in daylight saving time, may have influenced patterns of activity, particularly in the town’s more active nightlife areas. However, the overall crime rate remained stable, suggesting that local efforts to manage public order and address property crime are having a measurable impact. The relatively low rate of burglary compared to the UK average (38% below) may indicate that Totnes’ historic architecture and smaller scale of development create fewer opportunities for such crimes. This stability contrasts with the sharp 100% increase in burglary cases in March, a development that will require closer monitoring in subsequent months.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in Totnes’ crime profile was a 100% increase in burglary cases, rising from one to two incidents in March 2024. This surge, though small in absolute terms, contrasts with a 23.1% decrease in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 13 to 10. The category of other theft stood out as 155% above the UK average, with 13 reported incidents in March. This discrepancy may reflect Totnes’ unique characteristics, such as its mix of historic buildings and modern retail spaces, which could create specific vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, shoplifting dropped by 33.3% compared to February, influenced by seasonal retail patterns or targeted policing in high-street areas. The 11.1% rise in anti-social behaviour, though modest, suggests ongoing challenges in managing community tensions, particularly in the town’s more densely populated residential zones.

Totnes' crime rate in March 2024 fell to 7.2 per 1,000 residents, a 7.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.7 per 1,000. This decline places the area 6.5% below the UK average, a position it has maintained for several months. On a daily basis, Totnes recorded an average of two crimes per day in March, a figure that aligns with the area’s generally low crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 140 residents, a statistic that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. This monthly exposure is particularly notable in a built-up area with a population of 9,089, where community cohesion and local policing efforts may contribute to the sustained reduction in crime. The drop in overall crime rates is consistent with seasonal patterns observed in similar areas, where the transition to spring and the lengthening of evenings may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime, particularly those tied to darkness or transient populations.