Great Torrington Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 saw Great Torrington maintain a safer crime profile compared to the UK average, with an overall crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents—40% below the national average of 7.0. This reflects a persistent trend in the area, where low population density and rural characteristics may partly explain the subdued crime levels. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 66.7% of the 24 total incidents reported, followed by other theft (12.5%) and public order offences (8.3%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of small built-up areas during the festive period, where heightened police visibility and community cohesion could contribute to reduced property crime. The absence of major retail hubs or nightlife venues likely limits opportunities for theft and anti-social behaviour, though the 9% above UK average for violence and sexual offences suggests local factors—such as limited social services or geographic isolation—may play a role. December’s dark evenings and holiday-related absences from homes may have increased vulnerability to certain offences, though the overall drop in property crime (from 16 to 4 incidents) indicates effective community policing or deterrent measures. The area’s relatively low population (5,783 residents) and rural nature further insulate it from the higher urban crime rates typically observed in larger cities, where commercial activity and transient populations drive higher incident numbers.

December 2025 witnessed a 14.3% decrease in the overall crime rate compared to November, falling from 4.8 to 4.2 per 1,000 residents. This decline was most pronounced in criminal damage and arson, which dropped 83.3% (from 6 to 1 incidents), potentially reflecting reduced seasonal activity or improved property maintenance during the festive period. Conversely, three categories saw significant increases: other crime, public order offences, and other theft—all rising 100% from November’s figures. These spikes may indicate underreported incidents during the month or shifts in policing priorities. Violence and sexual offences—though slightly down by 5.9% (17 to 16 incidents)—remained 9% above the UK average for this category, suggesting a localised challenge in addressing interpersonal crime. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1 incidents), a reduction that could be linked to holiday-related community events or temporary displacement of at-risk individuals. The data also reveals a stark contrast in UK comparisons: while anti-social behaviour was 78% below the national average, other crime was 25% above, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in this category.

In December 2025, Great Torrington’s crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents marked a 14.3% decline from November’s 4.8, continuing a trend of relative safety compared to the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may feel more frequent to residents due to the small population of 5,783. However, when scaled to the monthly exposure, only one in every 241 residents experienced a reported crime—a ratio significantly better than the UK average. This underscores the area’s unique position as a low-crime built-up area within a rural district, where community networks and limited urban infrastructure likely contribute to the lower rates. The comparison to the UK also reveals distinct patterns: while the overall rate is 40% below the national average, specific categories like violence and sexual offences remain 9% above the UK norm. This discrepancy may reflect local challenges such as geographic isolation or limited access to support services, which could exacerbate interpersonal conflicts. Residents may find the monthly exposure statistic most useful, as it provides context for how crime affects daily life in a community where most residents are unlikely to encounter incidents directly.