Crime in South Hams: statistics, rates and trends

4,365 crimes were recorded in South Hams in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,969 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, South Hams has the 297th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Hams was highest in the year to July 2018 (4,372 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (3,541). Over the whole period it fell 0%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Hams over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+30%) and other theft (+30%).

The largest falls were in drugs (-50%) and anti-social behaviour (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Hams

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Hams recorded 1,969 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 45.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Hams

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Hams recorded 509 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Hams

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Hams recorded 488 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Hams

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Hams recorded 400 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Hams

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Hams recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Hams

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Hams recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Hams

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Hams recorded 139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Hams

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Hams recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Hams

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Hams recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Hams

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Hams recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Hams

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Hams recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Hams

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Hams recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Hams

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Hams recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Hams

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Hams recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to South Hams, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Hams.

35 areas within South Hams, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kingsbridge had the highest rate (80.0 per 1,000) and Newton Ferrers the lowest (18.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in South Hams over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Hams over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

South Hams has an estimated population of 92,148. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Hams sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to South Hams. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.