Cornwall Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2025, Cornwall’s crime landscape was defined by a pronounced dominance of violent crime over property crime, a pattern that offers insight into the area’s seasonal and geographic dynamics. The overall crime rate stood at 5.3 per 1,000 residents — 24.3% below the UK average — a figure that reflects both the district’s relatively lower population density and its unique mix of rural and coastal environments. Violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 49.7% of all recorded crimes, were notably above the UK average for this category, illustrating the pressure on public safety during the Christmas shopping season and the extended darkness of winter evenings. These conditions likely contribute to the elevated levels of violent incidents, particularly in town centres and other high-traffic areas. Meanwhile, property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime remained well below the UK average, with burglary at 0.1 per 1,000 (64% below national levels) and vehicle crime at 0.1 per 1,000 (73% below). This contrast between property and violent crime highlights the dual influence of seasonal rhythms and the area’s character as a blend of coastal tourism and rural living. The drop in anti-social behaviour — a 42.7% decrease from November — may be linked to the quieter, more inward-focused nature of December, when many residents and visitors are occupied with holiday preparations. However, the persistent challenge of criminal damage and arson, which rose 10.1% to 337 incidents, suggests that certain areas, such as those with high concentrations of empty holiday homes, remain vulnerable to such crimes. These patterns illustrate the complex interplay of local geography, seasonal activity, and community behaviour, all of which shape Cornwall’s crime profile in distinct ways.

Violent crime outpaced property crime by a significant margin, accounting for nearly half (49.7%) of all incidents — a trend that marks a stark contrast to the UK average, where violent crime constitutes a smaller share. This imbalance may illustrate the impact of seasonal factors, such as the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings, which can heighten tensions in crowded retail areas. Notably, robbery rates rose 19.0% month-on-month, climbing from 21 to 25 incidents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, suggests that targeted areas — likely high-traffic retail hubs — may warrant closer attention. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped sharply by 42.7%, with incidents falling from 499 to 286. This decline could be consistent with the quieter, more inward-focused nature of December, when community events and holiday traditions draw people away from public spaces. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson saw a 10.1% increase, reaching 337 incidents — a figure that is 15% above the UK average and highlights the persistent challenge of property-related crime in certain parts of the district.

December 2025 saw Cornwall’s crime rate fall to 5.3 per 1,000 residents, a 9.0% drop from November’s 5.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns in the area, where holiday periods often see reduced street-level activity as residents and tourists retreat indoors. The daily crime context reveals 99 crimes reported each day — a figure that translates to one crime for every 189 residents. While this rate remains notably lower than the UK average, the population-scaled perspective shows that Cornwall’s crime burden is distributed more evenly across its communities than in some densely populated urban areas. The reduction in anti-social behaviour — down 42.7% to 286 incidents — may partly reflect the quieter nature of December, with fewer late-night gatherings in town centres. However, the daily crime rate still underscores the need for vigilance, particularly in areas where seasonal events draw crowds. For residents, this means that while the overall picture is positive, targeted awareness in high-traffic zones remains crucial.