Totnes Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2025, Totnes' crime profile revealed a clear dominance of property crime over violent crime, with 17 property-related incidents recorded compared to 12 violent crimes. This 40% imbalance aligns with the area's character as a market town with a strong retail and tourism presence, where theft and burglary may be more prevalent than assault or other violent offences. The overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents placed Totnes 38.3% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting the town's smaller population and lower density compared to major urban centres. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 26.7% of all incidents, though this rate (1.3 per 1,000) remained 54% below the UK average. Other theft (20.0% of all crimes) and anti-social behaviour (13.3%) followed, with the former significantly outpacing its UK counterpart by 89% — a figure that may indicate specific vulnerabilities in local retail security measures. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, likely contributed to the persistence of violence and public order offences, though these were offset by a marked decline in anti-social behaviour compared to April. The town's low crime rate suggests a generally safe environment, with property crime more reflective of economic activity than broader safety concerns. This pattern is consistent with Totnes' role as a commuter hub and tourist destination, where crime prevention efforts may focus more on securing commercial premises than addressing violent crime.

May 2025 saw a dramatic 350% increase in other theft, rising from 2 to 9 incidents — a surge that may reflect heightened retail activity or seasonal shopping patterns in Totnes' historic high street. This spike contrasts with a 40% drop in shoplifting, which fell from 5 to 3, possibly due to increased foot traffic deterring opportunistic theft. The balance between property and violent crime shifted with property crimes (17 incidents) outnumbering violent crimes (12 incidents) by a 40% margin. This dominance of property crime is consistent with Totnes' character as a market town, where retail and tourism infrastructure may drive theft and burglary more than violent incidents. Violent crime in Totnes remains 54% below the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 1.3 per 1,000 — a rate that suggests the town's smaller population and community-focused environment may act as a natural deterrent to more severe offences. Anti-social behaviour fell by 53.8% compared to April, aligning with the start of the summer season and reduced alcohol-fuelled incidents in local pubs.

Totnes' crime rate in May 2025 fell to 5.0 per 1,000 residents, a 15.1% decrease from the previous month's 5.8. This reduction aligns with a broader trend observed in the built-up area of South Hams, where seasonal shifts and community initiatives may have contributed to the decline. On a daily basis, Totnes experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a low-frequency pattern compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the area's population of 9,089, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 202 residents — a figure that underscores the relatively low incidence of crime in this market town. This context contrasts sharply with the UK average, where residents face a significantly higher risk, but within Totnes, the monthly aggregate suggests a stable environment where most residents are unlikely to encounter crime during their daily lives. The reduction in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage compared to April further supports the notion of a seasonal moderation in disruptive incidents, possibly linked to the transition into warmer weather and extended daylight hours.