Torbay Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Torbay’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 7.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 16.7% above the UK average of 6.6. This figure reflects a combination of local factors, including the area’s mix of urban and coastal environments, which may contribute to higher rates of violent and property crimes compared to more rural or uniformly suburban regions. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 48% of all reported incidents, a rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents—52% above the UK average. This spike in violent crime may be linked to the post-holiday period, when reduced retail footfall and shorter days could drive activity toward less monitored areas, such as town centres or late-night venues. Anti-social behaviour, while still a significant category (9% of all crimes), was 23% below the UK average, reflecting successful community initiatives or demographic differences in Torbay’s population. Seasonal context further shapes the data: January’s shorter days and post-holiday lull likely contributed to a lower incidence of outdoor crimes, though this was offset by rises in property-related offences like criminal damage and arson, which were 28% above the UK average. The overall picture illustrates a region grappling with persistent challenges in violent crime, while showing pockets of performance—such as vehicle crime and burglary—where Torbay’s rates align with or even outperform national benchmarks.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in robbery, bicycle theft, and possession of weapons, each rising by 150% and 100% respectively compared to December. Robbery, for example, surged from 2 to 5 incidents—a stark jump that may reflect post-holiday disruptions or targeted activity in specific areas. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 32.4% (34 to 23), likely due to reduced traffic during the post-holiday lull and shorter daylight hours curbing outdoor opportunities. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 23%, from 126 to 97 incidents, possibly linked to seasonal changes in public activity. Violent crimes in Torbay—particularly violence and sexual offences—remain 52% above the UK average (3.7 per 1,000), underscoring a persistent challenge for local authorities. Meanwhile, burglary and vehicle crime are both significantly below the UK average, with burglary 29% lower and vehicle crime 46% lower, suggesting that residential and transport security measures may be effective in certain parts of the area.

Torbay’s crime rate in January 2026 remained stable compared to December 2025, with a -1.8% decrease from 7.8 to 7.7 per 1,000 residents. This slight decline suggests consistency in local policing efforts or seasonal factors influencing crime patterns. On a daily basis, Torbay recorded an average of 35 crimes per day in January—a figure that, while specific to the area, reflects the density of incidents in a region with a population of 140,126. When scaled to monthly exposure, this equates to roughly one reported crime for every 130 residents over the course of the month. This metric provides context for residents: for every 130 people in Torbay, one crime was recorded, highlighting the frequency of incidents in a relatively small geographic area. Population-scaled perspectives reveal that Torbay’s rate is higher than the UK average, yet the daily figure remains a concrete measure of local experience that residents can use to assess their own risk profiles.