Torquay Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Torquay, 11.1 crimes were reported in September 2025 — a rate 50% higher than the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This translates to a resident facing a 1-in-91 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month, a figure that may partly reflect the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of tourism, student populations, and seasonal activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.4% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.5%) and shoplifting (7.5%). These patterns align with Torquay’s role as a destination for university freshers and a hub for retail activity, which may contribute to higher rates of public order issues and theft. The sharp seasonal shift in September — with nights drawing in and the start of academic terms — could amplify tensions in public spaces, particularly in areas frequented by students and tourists. While the overall rate remains elevated, the breakdown shows a concentration of violent crime that contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. This divergence suggests local factors, such as the town’s proximity to university campuses and its reliance on tourism, may play a role in shaping crime dynamics. The data also highlights a stark imbalance in the crime mix: whereas the UK average sees property crimes (e.g. burglary, vehicle crime) making up a larger share, Torquay’s violent crime rates are high, reflecting the impact of concentrated populations in nightlife and retail zones.

September 2025 saw a 200% surge in bicycle theft, rising from 1 to 3 incidents — a spike that may be linked to the influx of university students and increased cycling activity during the freshers’ period. Shoplifting also rose by 26.5%, with 43 incidents reported, potentially driven by higher foot traffic in the town’s retail areas. Meanwhile, vehicle crime increased by 23.1%, though this category remains 25% below the UK average, suggesting local measures may be effective in curbing such crimes. On the other hand, possession of weapons fell by 66.7%, dropping from 12 to 4 incidents — a decline that could indicate targeted policing efforts or reduced tensions during the quieter pre-Christmas period. Theft from the person also dropped by 63.6%, from 11 to 4, which may be attributed to heightened awareness among residents and visitors during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained 78% above the UK average, with 4.6 per 1,000 residents affected, underscoring the need for community-focused initiatives in areas where these crimes are concentrated. This mix of increases and decreases illustrates the combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and policing strategies in shaping Torquay’s crime profile.

The crime rate in Torquay fell by 11.8% in September 2025 compared to August, dropping from 12.5 to 11.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline, while modest, may reflect the natural ebb of summer-related activity and the transition into the academic term, which could reduce certain types of crime, such as those linked to transient populations. On a daily basis, Torquay recorded 19 crimes per day in September — a figure that, while specific to the area, provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents. Over the course of the month, this equated to one reported crime for every 91 residents, a rate that highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and community engagement. When scaled to Torquay’s population of 51,862, this translates to a collective experience where nearly 570 crimes were reported, a number that, while lower than the previous month, still exceeds the UK average by a significant margin. The comparison to the UK average also reveals stark contrasts: for instance, vehicle crime in Torquay is 25% below the national rate, yet violence and sexual offences are 78% above. These disparities reflect the unique challenges Torquay faces, including the pressures of managing a tourist economy alongside a growing student population, both of which may contribute to the elevated rates of violent crime relative to other areas.