Torquay Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Torquay’s crime profile in February 2026 reveals a stark imbalance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences comprising nearly half of all reported incidents. This dominance of violent crime, at 5.3 per 1,000 residents (128% above the UK average), contrasts sharply with property crimes, which account for only 29% of the total. The local context of a coastal built-up area with a strong tourism sector may contribute to this dynamic, as violent incidents often cluster in high-traffic zones such as the town’s waterfront and nightlife areas. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.2 per 1,000 (32% above the UK average), further reflects the challenges of managing public spaces in a tourist-driven economy. Seasonal factors also play a role: February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may have driven some individuals toward indoor spaces, increasing confrontations. However, the UK average for property crimes—particularly shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000)—is lower than Torquay’s 0.7 per 1,000, suggesting that local retail environments or policing strategies may influence this disparity. The overall rate of 10.9 per 1,000, 70.3% above the UK average, indicates a need for targeted interventions in violent crime categories while maintaining efforts to prevent anti-social behaviour in public areas.

February 2026 saw a sharp increase in robbery, rising by 60% to 8 incidents, a figure that may reflect heightened vulnerability in specific locations such as late-night retail areas. Violence and sexual offences also surged by 14.5%, reaching 277 cases, a rate 128% above the UK average. This spike aligns with the seasonal context of a winter month, where indoor gatherings and reduced daylight may contribute to higher incidents. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 60% to 2 cases, likely due to colder weather deterring outdoor activity. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 15.1%, linked to the post-Christmas period and the start of the academic year. Vehicle crime remained below the UK average by 14%, a trend consistent with Torquay’s coastal geography, where vehicle theft is less common compared to urban centres. These shifts underscore the importance of addressing specific crime hotspots while maintaining vigilance in areas showing unexpected declines.

The crime rate in Torquay for February 2026 remained stable at 10.9 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month’s rate. This consistency suggests no significant short-term fluctuations in overall crime trends. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 20 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local context of a coastal built-up area with a mix of tourist and resident populations. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 92 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the persistent presence of crime in the community. When compared to the UK average, Torquay’s population-scaled perspective reveals a stark contrast: with 51,862 residents, the area’s crime burden is higher than the national average, though this is not reflected in daily activity patterns. This discrepancy may partly explain the focus on violent and sexual offences, which dominate the local crime mix. The stability in the monthly rate, despite shifts in individual crime types, underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific categories rather than broad, area-wide measures.