Teignbridge Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Teignbridge's crime profile in May 2023 illustrates a continued divergence from national trends, with a crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents—63.7% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure reflects a combination of geographic factors and local dynamics, as the area's relatively low population density and mix of rural and coastal environments may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. The most common offences were violence and sexual offences (40.7% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (28.4%) and criminal damage and arson (7.9%). These patterns align with seasonal shifts in May, where longer evenings and bank holidays could drive increased socialising and outdoor activity, contributing to rises in violence and anti-social behaviour. While the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, the proportion of violent crime (1.2 per 1,000) is higher than the national average for this category (2.8 per 1,000), suggesting localised challenges in managing interpersonal conflict. The area's low property crime rate—particularly for theft and vehicle crime—may be influenced by its rural character, where fewer high-traffic retail areas or densely packed housing stock reduce opportunities for such offences. However, the seasonal context of May, with its increased outdoor socialising, appears to have a measurable impact on violent crime patterns, warranting further analysis of how local events and environmental factors interact with crime trends.

May 2023 saw notable month-on-month changes in Teignbridge's crime profile, with some categories rising sharply while others declined. Theft from the person increased by 100% (from 0 to 1), a rare but significant jump that may reflect isolated incidents during the month's bank holidays or extended evening hours. Similarly, drugs offences and possession of weapons both doubled compared to April, suggesting potential shifts in local patterns or increased reporting. Conversely, burglary fell by 52.6% (19 to 9), a steep decline that could indicate effective community policing efforts or reduced opportunities in rural areas. Other theft also dropped by 43.3% (30 to 17), linked to seasonal changes in retail activity or improved security measures. The mix of crime types remained skewed toward violence and anti-social behaviour, with these two categories accounting for 69.1% of all reported crimes. Teignbridge's violent crime rate (1.2 per 1,000) is 57% below the UK average for this category (2.8 per 1,000), highlighting the area's relative success in managing interpersonal crime despite the overall increase in violent offences. For residents, the sharp rise in drugs-related crimes—now at 6 cases—may warrant attention to local support services or community initiatives, though the small absolute numbers suggest this remains a niche concern rather than a widespread issue.

Teignbridge's crime rate in May 2023 fell by 7.0% compared to April, dropping from 3.1 to 2.9 per 1,000 residents. This decline places the area well below the UK average, with its overall rate remaining 63.7% lower than the national figure of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 13 crimes per day in May—a figure that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of reported incidents in a population of 138,548. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 342 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many urban areas but comparable to other rural districts with similar population structures. This statistic, when contextualised with Teignbridge's mix of coastal and rural geography, suggests that crime remains a relatively infrequent occurrence for most residents. The previous month's rate of 3.1 per 1,000 provides a useful benchmark for tracking seasonal fluctuations, as May's longer evenings and bank holidays may have influenced both the rise in violent crime and the decline in property-related offences. The area's low population density and spread-out communities appear to play a role in maintaining these lower rates, though the persistent concentration of violent offences highlights the need for targeted interventions in specific locations or demographics.