Totnes Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Totnes, a built-up area within the South Hams, recorded a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents in December 2025, significantly below the UK average of 7.0. This figure marks a 38.6% reduction compared to the national average, underscoring the town's generally low crime profile. The most prevalent crime categories were property-related, with other theft (25.6% of total crimes) and violence and sexual offences (28.2%) dominating the breakdown. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and the temporary absence of some residents during the holiday season—likely influenced these patterns. Property crimes, which accounted for 53.8% of all incidents, may have been driven by increased foot traffic in local shops and the potential for unoccupied homes to be targeted. Conversely, the relatively low levels of violent crime suggest that Totnes' community-oriented environment and the absence of major nightlife hubs contribute to a safer atmosphere. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, meaning Totnes' rate of 1.2 per 1,000 is 53% below the national figure. This disparity could be attributed to the town's smaller population and the absence of high-risk areas typically associated with higher violent crime rates. Meanwhile, public order offences remained 32% below the UK average, reflecting the town's quieter, more residential character compared to larger urban centres.

December 2025 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with some categories rising sharply while others fell. Other theft increased by 150% compared to November, jumping from four to ten incidents. This surge, which places Totnes 112% above the UK average for this category, may reflect heightened retail activity during the Christmas shopping period. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 75%, falling from eight to two incidents, a decline that aligns with the seasonal closure of some local venues and reduced public gatherings. The most significant absolute increase came in burglary, which doubled from zero to two incidents, and vehicle crime, which rose from zero to one. These figures suggest that while overall crime remains low, specific vulnerabilities—such as unoccupied homes during holiday periods—may be contributing to property-related offences. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 15.4%, remaining 53% below the UK average, a trend consistent with the town's generally peaceful character during the festive season.

Totnes' crime rate in December 2025 rose by 11.4% compared to the previous month, moving from 3.9 to 4.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in crime patterns during the festive season. Locally, the average daily crime count was approximately one reported incident per day, a figure that may appear low but aligns with Totnes' generally low crime profile. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 233 residents, a statistic that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the town's population. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it illustrates the likelihood of encountering crime in a community where most people remain unaffected. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Totnes continues to perform significantly better than the UK average, with its crime rate remaining 38.6% below the national figure. However, the upward trend from November to December suggests that seasonal factors, such as increased foot traffic during Christmas shopping, may have contributed to a temporary rise in reported crimes.