Local Area Crime Statistics

Torbay Crime Rate

Crime is stable and HIGH in Torbay

Torbay's crime rate is 110.0 per 1,000, slightly above the UK average. Discover detailed crime statistics and safety insights for Torbay.

Overall Crime Rate

110.0
per 1,000 people
18% higher than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

33.4
per 1,000 people
1% higher than UK avg

Based on population of 140,126 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Torbay

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Torbay
Overall Crime Rate110 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate33.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score74 out of 100
Population140,126
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Torbay
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences6,13943.840%
Anti-social behaviour2,67119.117%
Criminal damage and arson1,3459.69%
Shoplifting1,2498.98%
Other theft1,0267.37%
Public order84565%
Drugs6354.54%
Vehicle crime4112.93%
Burglary3742.72%
Other crime2912.12%
Possession of weapons1601.11%
Theft from the person1320.91%
Robbery950.71%
Bicycle theft420.30%

Introduction to Torbay Crime Statistics

Torbay recorded an overall crime rate of 110.0 per 1,000 residents over the last year, which is higher than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score stands at 74 out of 100, indicating a generally safer environment compared to the UK average safety score of 78. This data provides a comprehensive overview of crime in Torbay, offering insights into specific crime types and trends that affect the local community. The overall crime trend for Torbay has remained stable, with a slight increase of 2.4% year-over-year, suggesting consistent patterns within the region.

Torbay Safety Score

74
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Torbay's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Torbay

Torquay

146.0
per 1,000
Very High Risk

Paignton

90.9
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Brixham

65.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About Torbay

Torbay, often referred to as the "English Riviera", is a coastal local authority district comprising the towns of Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. Its characteristics are largely shaped by its role as a significant tourist destination, featuring numerous beaches, hotels, and leisure facilities. This strong tourism sector, alongside a vibrant nightlife in certain areas, contributes to a higher transient population, particularly during peak seasons. The presence of transport hubs and commercial centres can also influence crime statistics. While the area benefits from its scenic beauty and visitor economy, these factors can also present challenges regarding public order and property-related offences due to increased activity and diverse populations.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
6,139 incidents (43.8 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
2,671 incidents (19.1 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,345 incidents (9.6 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,249 incidents (8.9 per 1,000)
Other theft
1,026 incidents (7.3 per 1,000)
Public order
845 incidents (6 per 1,000)
Drugs
635 incidents (4.5 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
411 incidents (2.9 per 1,000)
Burglary
374 incidents (2.7 per 1,000)
Other crime
291 incidents (2.1 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
160 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
132 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Robbery
95 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
42 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 8.4% change(over 12 months)
Torbay
UK Average

Compare Torbay with similar populations

Torbay has a 17.8% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Torbay Crime Type Analysis

The most prevalent crime types in Torbay are Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences account for 6,139 crimes, representing 39.8% of all reported incidents and a rate of 43.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows with 2,671 crimes (17.3% of total, 19.1 per 1,000), and Criminal damage and arson accounts for 1,345 crimes (8.7% of total, 9.6 per 1,000). Property-related crime in Torbay, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, shoplifting, other theft, and robbery, collectively stands at 33.4 per 1,000 people. This is slightly above the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, shoplifting recorded 1,249 incidents, other theft 1,026, vehicle crime 411, and burglary 374. For residents and homeowners, these figures highlight the importance of securing personal belongings and properties, particularly given the prevalence of various theft-related offences.

Crime Trends in Torbay

Torbay's crime rate has remained stable over the past year, showing a modest 2.4% increase year-over-year. Analysing the monthly trend data reveals some fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a dip in December 2024 to 8.2 and February 2025 to 7.8, suggesting lower crime activity during these winter months. Conversely, there was a noticeable rise in May 2025 to 10.4 and a peak in July 2025 at 10.7, which could correlate with increased seasonal activity or tourism during the warmer months. By September 2025, the rate settled at 8.7. This stable trend with seasonal variations suggests that while overall crime levels are consistent, residents might observe higher activity during certain periods, particularly in late spring and summer.

Torbay Compared to Nearby Areas

When examining Torbay's crime statistics in a regional context, comparisons with neighbouring areas provide valuable insights. Torbay's overall crime rate of 110.0 per 1,000 is higher than Teignbridge and South Hams, which typically experience lower crime levels due to their more rural or suburban characteristics. However, Torbay's rate is comparable to, or sometimes lower than, larger urban centres like Exeter and Plymouth, which naturally have higher crime volumes due to their population density and diverse activities. East Devon and West Devon generally present lower crime rates, reflecting their more tranquil environments. This regional comparison highlights Torbay's position as a significant urban and tourist hub within the South West, influencing its crime profile relative to its more rural neighbours and larger city counterparts.

Protecting Your Home in Torbay

Given Torbay's property crime rate of 33.4 per 1,000 residents, securing your home proactively is a crucial consideration. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV, often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively rather than preventatively. If you are looking for real protection, consider advanced solutions like scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system. scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property boundary, rather than merely recording an event after a break-in. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and it can even catch fake vehicle plates instantly with DVLA verification. By learning your family's routines, scOS only alerts on real threats, avoiding unnecessary alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise for potential intruders, making them move on within the crucial 60-second decision window most burglars operate within. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade equipment like scOS offers a distinct advantage in deterring criminals and providing robust, proactive protection for your property.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Torbay

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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