Teignbridge Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

January 2024 saw Teignbridge's crime rate remain significantly below the UK average, but a concerning spike in certain offences demands attention. With 4.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area recorded 35.1% fewer incidents than the national average of 7.4 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.5% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.9%) and criminal damage (7.4%). This pattern aligns with Teignbridge's character as a mixed rural-urban district, where community-focused policing and low population density may contribute to lower overall crime rates. However, the seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail activity—likely explains the lower prevalence of shoplifting and vehicle crime compared to busier months. While violent crime rates remained 23% below the UK average for this category, the sharp rise in theft from the person and bicycle theft suggests vulnerabilities in personal security awareness that warrant targeted community engagement. The data illustrates a generally safe area with specific pockets of concern, particularly in relation to personal safety offences.

January 2024 brought alarming increases in theft from the person, which surged by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents), and bicycle theft, which doubled (from 1 to 2). These jumps, though still small in absolute terms, represent significant month-on-month shifts. The rate of violent crime—2.0 per 1,000—remains 23% below the UK average, but the proportion of violent offences (42.5% of all crimes) underscores a marked imbalance in the crime mix compared to the national profile. 'other crime'—which includes unclassified incidents—rose 43% above the UK average, a category that may reflect reporting inconsistencies or under-recorded local issues. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high foot traffic, where theft from the person has more than tripled. The 83.3% increase in possession of weapons (from 6 to 11 incidents) also raises questions about local enforcement challenges, though this category remains below the UK average for now. These trends suggest a need for enhanced awareness campaigns around personal safety and community policing efforts in high-risk zones.

Teignbridge's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 22.8% compared to December's 3.9 per 1,000 residents, marking the first increase in the year. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 21 crimes per day—a figure that, while low in absolute terms, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents during this period. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 209 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many urban centres but comparable to other rural-urban mixed areas. When scaled to the district's population of 138,548, the 663 total crimes represent a manageable burden, though the sharp rise in theft from the person and bicycle theft highlights specific vulnerabilities. This increase contrasts with the previous month's decline in burglary and robbery, which fell by 50% each, suggesting seasonal or situational factors may be influencing crime patterns. The data indicates that while Teignbridge remains a relatively safe area, targeted interventions are needed to address emerging trends in personal safety offences.