Totnes Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Totnes during February 2026 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by the area’s character as a built-up market town within South Hams. With a total crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents — 14.1% below the UK average — the mix of crime types suggests a combination of local dynamics and seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42% of all reported crimes, significantly higher than the UK average for this category (2.3 per 1,000, 1% below). This may partly explain the prominence of violent crime, potentially linked to Totnes’ role as a hub for local services and community interactions. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 16% of the total, reflecting the challenges of managing public spaces in a town with a mix of residential and commercial areas. Shoplifting, at 14% of the total, stood out as 38% above the UK average, indicating a possible overrepresentation of retail-related crime. Given Totnes’ historical presence of independent shops and high streets, this could be consistent with the seasonal context of a pre-spring lull, where winter months often see a shift in consumer behavior and retail activity. The relatively low rate of property crimes compared to violent crimes contrasts with many UK towns, where property crime typically dominates. This balance may reflect Totnes’ compact nature, where community engagement and policing efforts could contribute to a lower incidence of burglary or vehicle crime. The winter season, with reduced outdoor activity, likely plays a role in the lower overall crime rate compared to summer months, though the prominence of violent crime suggests that indoor spaces — such as pubs, community centers, and local events — may be key arenas for such incidents. Understanding this crime mix provides insight into the area’s unique social and economic fabric, which differs from larger urban centers or rural districts.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in Totnes’ crime trends, with anti-social behaviour increasing by 60% compared to January, driven from 5 to 8 incidents. This rise may reflect the impact of local events or changes in community dynamics during the month. Shoplifting also rose by 40%, from 5 to 7 cases, despite the winter season, and remains 38% above the UK average. This anomaly could be attributed to Totnes’ retail landscape, where smaller shops may be more vulnerable to targeted theft. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 28.6%, declining from 7 to 5 incidents, influenced by the lower outdoor activity typical of February. The category of 'other crime' saw a 100% increase, with one incident reported. The dominance of violent crime — 21 incidents, or 42% of the total — highlights a persistent challenge in Totnes, with violence and sexual offences at 2.3 per 1,000, just 1% below the UK average. This suggests that while Totnes is safer than the UK average overall, certain crime types remain in line with national trends. The relatively low rate of bicycle theft (0.1 per 1,000) — 150% below the UK average — may indicate effective local measures or fewer cyclists in the area, due to the town’s compact size. These fluctuations underscore the need for targeted interventions in areas such as retail security and community engagement to address rising anti-social behaviour and shoplifting while maintaining the current low levels in other categories.

Totnes’ crime rate in February 2026 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, a 7.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the seasonal context of a pre-spring lull, where reduced outdoor activity and colder weather may contribute to lower crime rates. On a daily basis, Totnes recorded roughly two crimes per day in February, a figure that, while low, reflects the town’s compact nature and the concentration of incidents within specific areas. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 182 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Totnes among the safer areas in the UK. With a population of 9,089, this means that the average resident faced a significantly lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the UK average. The daily crime context is particularly useful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives. For example, a resident in Totnes could reasonably expect to encounter one crime every 182 days, assuming no changes in patterns. This statistic, when combined with the overall rate, suggests that Totnes’ built-up area within South Hams benefits from a combination of effective local policing, community cohesion, and the physical constraints of a small town. While the town’s crime rate is below the UK average, the specific categories that exceed or fall short of national benchmarks — such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour — highlight the need for tailored approaches to address local challenges. These comparisons underscore the importance of context in understanding Totnes’ crime profile, as the town’s unique characteristics shape its crime trends in ways that differ from both larger urban centers and rural areas.