Torquay Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Torquay's crime profile in June 2023 was defined by an unusually high rate of anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 36.3% of all reported crimes. This category, at 2.8 per 1,000, was 89% above the UK average, suggesting a localised concentration of incidents that may reflect the area's mix of residential and tourist environments. The overall crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 was 8.2% below the UK average of 8.5, illustrating a broader trend of relatively lower crime in Torquay compared to the national picture. Violence and sexual offences followed anti-social behaviour as the most common category, contributing 30.9% of total crimes, though this rate was 18% below the UK average. The seasonal context of June—a period marking the start of the summer and increased tourism—likely influenced patterns, with retail and leisure areas potentially experiencing higher foot traffic. This may explain the sharp rise in shoplifting, though the overall profile of Torquay's crime remains distinct from the UK average, with property crimes generally underrepresented compared to violent offences. The data also highlights a significant gap in theft from the person, which fell to 0.0 per 1,000, a 100% drop from the UK average, due to heightened police presence or seasonal deterrents in high-traffic areas.

June 2023 saw a dramatic 950% increase in shoplifting, rising from 2 to 21 incidents. This surge, coupled with an 116.7% rise in both drugs-related crimes and vehicle crime, highlights shifts in criminal activity. While anti-social behaviour decreased by 9.8% (from 163 to 147), its rate of 2.8 per 1,000 remains 89% above the UK average, underscoring Torquay's unique challenges. Other categories, including public order offences (down 6.7%) and burglary (38% below UK average), show contrasting trends. The sharp rise in shoplifting may partly explain by the influx of summer tourists, who often frequent retail areas. Residents might find the 100% drop in theft from the person—down from 6 to 2 incidents—particularly reassuring, though this remains an anomaly in a month otherwise marked by increases in property-related crimes.

Torquay's crime rate in June 2023 rose 21.7% compared to May's 6.4 per 1,000, reaching 7.8 per 1,000. This increase aligns with the start of the summer season, when tourism typically intensifies in coastal areas like Torquay. Daily crime activity averaged 14 reported incidents, reflecting the area's built-up nature and visitor density. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 128 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. This rate is lower than the UK average, which sits at 8.5 per 1,000. However, the rise from May suggests that seasonal factors—such as increased foot traffic in retail and leisure areas—may contribute to heightened activity in certain crime categories. The population context further highlights that Torquay's crime profile, while below the UK average, shows fluctuations tied to its coastal character and seasonal rhythms.