Newquay Crime Rate

Newquay is a prominent coastal town with a dynamic crime profile, recording an overall crime rate of 106.2 per 1,000 people for the period from December 2024 to November 2025. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 91.7, the town maintains a safety score of 74/100. This score is slightly below the UK average of 79/100, reflecting the town's status as a major tourism and nightlife destination which naturally attracts higher levels of activity. Encouragingly, the recent crime trend in Newquay is decreasing, with a year-over-year reduction of 6.8%. This downward trajectory suggests that local safety initiatives are effectively managing the challenges associated with the town's popularity, providing a reassuring context for those living in or visiting this vibrant Cornish community.

Newquay's crime data is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.0% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 15.3%, followed by other theft at 8.9%. When considering property crime collectively—including burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—the rate is 31.4 per 1,000 people. This is very close to the UK average of 32.3, which is notable for a town of its size. Burglary specifically makes up 1.7% of total crime, while vehicle crime accounts for 2.5%. For residents and business owners in Newquay, the relatively high rate of 'other theft' and shoplifting (6.4%) highlights the importance of securing personal belongings and commercial premises, especially during the busy tourist seasons when the town's population swells significantly.

Newquay is currently experiencing a positive downward trend in crime, with a year-over-year decrease of 6.8%. A detailed look at the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 reveals a strong seasonal influence. The year began with relatively low crime rates in December (6.7) and January (7.4). However, activity increased steadily through the spring, reaching a significant peak in the summer months. July recorded a rate of 12.6, followed by the year's high of 12.7 in August. This sharp summer spike is directly tied to the town's massive influx of tourists during the holiday season. Following this peak, crime rates dropped significantly in the autumn, falling back to 6.4 by November 2025. This pattern suggests that while Newquay remains very busy and more prone to crime in the summer, the overall annual volume is successfully being reduced, providing a more secure environment for long-term residents.

How To Keep Safe in Newquay

The most common crime type in Newquay is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 42.0% of all reported incidents. Given Newquay's popularity as a nightlife destination, staying safe often involves being mindful during evening hours. When enjoying the town's bars and clubs, always stay with your group and avoid walking home alone through poorly lit areas or along the cliffs. Use licensed taxis or pre-arranged transport to ensure a safe journey home. During the day, particularly in busy beach areas or the town centre, keep a close eye on your personal belongings to prevent opportunistic theft, which makes up 8.9% of local crime. For homeowners, ensure that all doors and windows are locked when you are out, and consider installing motion-activated lighting around your property. Being aware of your surroundings and planning your transport are the best ways to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in Newquay.

Newquay's crime patterns are heavily influenced by its dual nature as a retail hub and a nightlife destination. Crime levels are typically at their lowest in the early morning hours, around 3am to 6am. As the town wakes up, theft-related offences begin to rise, peaking during the afternoon when shopping and beach-going activity is at its height. As the day transitions into evening, there is a shift towards anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, reflecting the town's active bar and club scene. Night-time brings a higher proportion of vehicle-related crimes and other offences occurring under the cover of darkness. For residents, this means that while daytime vigilance is important in busy areas, property and vehicle security are paramount during the late evening and overnight periods. Understanding these cycles helps in applying safety measures more effectively at the right times of day.

In comparison to its immediate surroundings, Newquay serves as the primary hub for activity. Its crime rate of 106.2 per 1,000 is significantly higher than nearby Quintrell Downs (50.9) and St Newlyn East (28.1). Furthermore, neighbouring areas such as Crantock and Carloggas report crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000, illustrating the stark difference between the bustling town centre and the quieter, more rural outskirts. For those considering the region, Newquay offers the most amenities and commercial activity, but this naturally comes with a higher statistical crime rate compared to the exceptionally low-activity residential villages that surround it.

With a property crime rate of 31.4 per 1,000 in Newquay—very close to the national average—residents and business owners should be mindful of property security. In a busy town where seasonal population shifts are common, traditional security cameras often fall short as they are purely reactive, capturing footage only after an incident has occurred. For more robust protection, the scOS AI-powered home security operating system provides a proactive alternative. scOS uses intelligent AI to monitor your property's boundaries, detecting potential threats before they escalate. By using autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers, scOS can deter an intruder before they even attempt a break-in. This is particularly effective in preventing the 1.7% of crimes that are burglaries and the 8.1% that involve criminal damage. In Newquay's active environment, moving from simple recording to active prevention with scOS ensures your property remains a hard target, protecting your home even when the town is at its busiest.