Great Torrington Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Great Torrington's crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents in January 2026 places it 48.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the national picture. This rural built-up area within Torridge exhibits a crime profile shaped by seasonal and demographic factors. Violence and sexual offences dominate with 13 incidents (65% of total), followed by shoplifting (15%) and vehicle crime (10%). While the UK average for violent crimes stands at 2.5 per 1,000, Great Torrington's rate of 2.3 per 1,000 is 8% lower, suggesting a combination of community cohesion and limited public spaces that may reduce opportunities for such incidents. The area's low shoplifting rate—0.5 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 0.6—aligns with January's post-holiday retail quiet, though a 100% increase in shoplifting this month hints at shifting patterns. Vehicle crime, however, rose to 0.4 per 1,000, matching the UK average. The sharp decline in anti-social behaviour (78% below the UK average) may reflect the area's smaller population and fewer public venues. Seasonal factors, including shorter days and post-Christmas retail lulls, likely contribute to the overall lower crime rate, though the increase in shoplifting suggests other dynamics at play. This data underscores Great Torrington's distinct position as a low-crime rural community with unique local conditions influencing its crime profile.

January 2026 saw a 100% increase in shoplifting, rising from zero to three incidents—a marked shift from the usual seasonal pattern. Vehicle crime also doubled, climbing to two reported cases, though this rate matches the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. Conversely, other theft fell by two-thirds (from three to one), potentially linked to improved security measures or reduced opportunities. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 18.8%, from 16 to 13 incidents, though this remains the most common crime type at 65% of total reports. The area's shoplifting rate of 0.5 per 1,000 is 12% below the UK average, suggesting effective local deterrence strategies. Anti-social behaviour incidents—just one in January—were 78% below the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000, reinforcing the area's generally low levels of disorder. These fluctuations highlight the need for ongoing monitoring, particularly as shoplifting and vehicle crime rates move against typical January trends. A resident might find the 100% rise in shoplifting concerning, though the overall low volume of incidents remains a positive indicator for the area.

Great Torrington's January 2026 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 represents a 16.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.2, indicating a downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period—a figure that, while local-specific, provides a tangible sense of the monthly exposure. Over the course of January, one crime occurred for roughly every 289 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the scale of incidents in relation to the population of 5,783. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, though the lack of a national daily crime benchmark means direct comparisons remain limited. The area's population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a far lower risk of victimisation than the average UK citizen, with the most common crime type (violence and sexual offences) occurring at 2.3 per 1,000—8% below the UK average. These figures illustrate a community with relatively strong social cohesion and limited opportunities for crime, though the recent rise in shoplifting suggests vigilance is needed in retail areas. For residents, the 1-in-289 monthly exposure rate underscores the rarity of crime in their daily lives, a contrast to the UK's broader experience.