Great Torrington Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Great Torrington’s crime profile in March 2023 reflects a mix of low overall rates and distinct patterns compared to the UK average. The area recorded 20 crimes, equivalent to a rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents — 53.9% below the national average of 7.6. This underscores the area’s generally safer environment. Violence and sexual offences were the most common crime type, accounting for 30% of all incidents. At 1.0 per 1,000, this rate is 64% below the UK average, a figure consistent with the area’s rural character and limited nightlife. Anti-social behaviour followed at 25% of total crimes, with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000 — 13% below the UK average. This may be influenced by the area’s small population and strong community ties, which can deter disruptive behaviour. Property crimes, while slightly lower in share (40% of total), included shoplifting (15%) and criminal damage (15%), both of which aligned closely with UK averages. The seasonal context of March — the transition to spring, with evenings lengthening and clocks moving forward — may have contributed to the slight increase in violence and sexual offences, as more people spend time outdoors and in public spaces. This is a typical pattern in rural areas, where seasonal changes can influence crime dynamics. The data also highlights the rarity of certain offences: robbery and possession of weapons were each recorded once, placing them 122% and 186% above the UK average respectively, though these remain statistically minor in a low-crime environment. These figures suggest that while Great Torrington is largely safe, isolated incidents may still occur, linked to transient populations or specific local factors. Overall, the area’s crime profile continues to reflect its rural, low-density nature, with crime rates significantly below national averages and a crime mix skewed towards property offences and anti-social behaviour.

March 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30% of all crimes, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 — 64% below the UK average. This aligns with seasonal trends, as longer evenings may contribute to increased interactions in public spaces. Conversely, robbery and possession of weapons were 122% and 186% above UK averages, respectively, though these remain low in absolute terms (one incident each). The breakdown also shows a shift in crime mix: violent crimes (6) outnumbered property crimes (8) for the first time in recent months, a reversal that could reflect changing community dynamics. Anti-social behaviour (25% of total) was 13% below the UK average, influenced by local initiatives or community engagement efforts, though no specific programmes are referenced in the data.

In March 2023, Great Torrington recorded 20 crimes across 31 days, equating to roughly one crime per day. This local daily figure provides a tangible sense of the area’s crime frequency, though it must be noted that the UK does not publish equivalent daily crime statistics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 289 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 5,783. When compared to the UK average of 7.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, Great Torrington’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000 places it 53.9% below the national average. This disparity is reflected in specific crime types: for instance, robbery and possession of weapons were 122% and 186% above UK averages, respectively, while burglary was 39% below. These figures suggest that while certain crimes remain relatively rare in Great Torrington, others may indicate localised patterns worth examining in conjunction with community factors.