Crime in Torbay: statistics, rates and trends

15,330 crimes were recorded in Torbay in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,661 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Torbay has the 74th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Torbay was highest in the year to July 2018 (15,958 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (13,265). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 Torbay 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. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+24%) and bicycle theft (+13%). The largest falls were in drugs (-31%) and anti-social behaviour (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Torbay

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Torbay recorded 6,661 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 43.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Torbay

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Torbay recorded 2,131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 13.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Torbay

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Torbay recorded 1,383 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Torbay

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Torbay recorded 1,268 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Torbay

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Torbay recorded 1,035 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Torbay

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Torbay recorded 812 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Torbay

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Torbay recorded 451 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Torbay

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Torbay recorded 423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Torbay

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Torbay recorded 418 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Torbay

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Torbay recorded 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Torbay

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Torbay recorded 183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Torbay

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Torbay recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Torbay

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Torbay recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Torbay

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Torbay recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

19 areas within Torbay, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Tormohun had the highest rate (313.7 per 1,000) and Churston with Galmpton the lowest (38.2). 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 Torbay over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Torbay 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.

Torbay has an estimated population of 140,126. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Torbay sits in decile 4.2, more deprived than average. 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 Torbay. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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