Totnes Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Totnes’ crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents in January 2026 places it 13.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, a position that reflects the area’s broader safety profile relative to national trends. This built-up area within South Hams, likely characterised by a mix of historic market town features and modern amenities, reported 54 total crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 40.7% of the total. This category’s rate (2.4 per 1,000) is 4% below the UK average, a slight but consistent deviation that may align with Totnes’ relatively low population density and community-oriented environment. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson emerged as a notable outlier, with a rate of 0.8 per 1,000—67% above the UK average—suggesting potential vulnerabilities in property maintenance or local enforcement priorities. Seasonal factors also played a role: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail activity may have contributed to lower overall outdoor crime, though this was offset by sharp increases in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. The balance between property and violent crime in Totnes (22 each) contrasts with the UK’s broader trend, where property crimes typically dominate. This equilibrium might reflect Totnes’ unique social fabric, where community engagement and local policing efforts could influence both categories. As January drew to a close, the data highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas such as anti-social behaviour and property damage, while the area’s overall safety remains a point of distinction in the national crime picture.

January 2026 saw significant fluctuations in Totnes’ crime profile. Anti-social behaviour increased by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents), a jump that may partly reflect colder weather driving more indoor gatherings or tensions in local community spaces. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson rose by 133.3% (from 3 to 7 incidents), a category where Totnes’ rate is 67% above the UK average. This divergence from national trends suggests local factors—such as property characteristics or community engagement patterns—may play a role. Conversely, other theft fell by 70% (from 10 to 3), a decline that could align with reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Bicycle theft, though a minor category (1 incident), saw a 100% increase from zero, a statistic that might prompt local authorities to review security measures around cycling infrastructure. These shifts illustrate the nuanced nature of Totnes’ crime profile, where some categories move sharply against the UK average while others remain aligned.

Totnes' crime rate rose by 38.5% from 4.3 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, reflecting a shift in local dynamics. While this increase is notable, the area remains 13.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, a position that underscores its relative safety compared to national trends. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in January, a figure that may seem high in isolation but is tempered by Totnes' small population of 9,089. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 168 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a manageable level of risk for residents. This figure, while a local aggregate, highlights the importance of contextualising crime statistics within Totnes’ specific demographic and geographic profile, rather than comparing them directly to larger urban areas with higher population densities and different crime patterns.