Padstow Crime Rate

Padstow is a highly safe and popular coastal town, with an overall crime rate of 59.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to a strong safety score of 86/100. When compared to the UK average safety score of 79/100, Padstow stands out as a secure environment for both residents and visitors. Although the area has experienced a 7.1% increase in crime over the last year, it remains a low-crime location in the national context. The data indicates that Padstow maintains a high standard of safety, typical of Cornwall's coastal communities, providing a reassuring backdrop for those living in or visiting this busy and vibrant town.

In Padstow, the crime landscape is primarily characterized by violence and sexual offences, which account for 44.4% of all recorded incidents, at a rate of 26.2 per 1,000 residents. Other theft and criminal damage/arson are the next most significant categories, each contributing 12.6% to the total crime volume. These figures reflect the common challenges faced by popular coastal destinations where high visitor numbers can influence local statistics.

Property-related crime in Padstow, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, currently stands at 18.4 per 1,000 people. Within this, "other theft" is the most prevalent, while burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, each making up 1.3% and 2.0% of the total respectively. This indicates that while property is occasionally targeted, serious residential break-ins are not a high-frequency issue for the town.

For residents and business owners, these statistics highlight a generally safe environment, though the 7.1% increase in crime over the last year suggests a need for continued awareness. With a property crime rate of 18.4, homeowners should ensure they have robust security measures in place to deter opportunistic theft and damage, particularly during the busier holiday seasons when the town's population increases significantly.

Padstow's crime rate has shown a slight upward trend, with total recorded offences increasing by 7.1% year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 reveals a fluctuating pattern, often linked to the town's seasonal nature. The year began with moderate rates, hovering around 5.5 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents throughout the winter and early spring.

A notable peak occurred in May 2025, where the crime rate rose to 7.8 per 1,000, likely coinciding with the start of the busier tourism season. Interestingly, July saw a significant drop to just 1.2 per 1,000, followed by another rise to 6.3 in August. This volatility is typical of areas with high transient populations. By the end of the period in November 2025, the rate had decreased to 2.7 per 1,000. While the overall annual trend is slightly up, the low figures at the end of the year suggest that Padstow remains a stable and safe community for its residents.

How To Keep Safe in Padstow

Padstow is a safe coastal town, but like many high-traffic areas, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences. To maintain your personal safety, you should practice good situational awareness, especially during the busy summer months when the town is crowded. Stick to well-lit, populated areas when walking at night and avoid taking shortcuts through isolated spots or along the harbour after dark.

If you are out enjoying the town's renowned restaurants and bars, always plan your route home in advance and stay with friends. Keeping your mobile phone charged and sharing your location with a trusted contact can provide extra peace of mind. While the overall volume of crime is low, being mindful of your surroundings is always a wise precaution.

For property safety, the rate of criminal damage is 12.6%, so ensuring your home or business is well-protected is important. Keep gates secure and avoid leaving valuable items in plain sight of windows. Joining a local community safety group or neighbourhood watch can help you stay informed about any local issues and contribute to the town's overall security. Proactive awareness is the best way to enjoy everything Padstow has to offer safely.

Crime in Padstow follows a distinct temporal pattern, largely influenced by the town's commercial and visitor activity. The morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm) hours are most associated with theft, which accounts for 62% and 67% of crimes respectively. This suggests that the majority of theft-related incidents occur during daylight hours, likely coinciding with peak shopping times and high footfall in the town centre.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm to 12am), the nature of crime shifts toward "other" categories, which make up 59% of incidents. This period also sees a slight rise in burglary to 3% of the period's total. The night-time hours (12am to 6am) see the highest proportional risk for vehicles, with vehicle crime peaking at 20% of incidents. Burglary also reaches its highest proportional peak during this time at 4%. These statistics indicate that while Padstow is very safe, property and vehicle-related risks are most concentrated during the late-night hours when there is less activity on the streets.

In the local context, Padstow is a more active hub than its immediate neighbours. Nearby settlements such as Trevone, Rock, and Polzeath and Trebetherick all reported zero crimes per 1,000 people, reflecting their extremely quiet, residential nature. Padstow is also more active than St Merryn, which has a crime rate of 39.8. This difference is largely due to Padstow's status as a major tourism destination, commercial centre, and transport hub, which naturally attracts higher footfall and a more transient population. Despite being more active than its smallest rural neighbours, Padstow remains a very safe choice within the broader Cornwall local authority area.

Padstow's property crime rate of 18.4 per 1,000 people suggests that homeowners and business owners should be mindful of security, particularly during peak visitor seasons. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or basic alarms, are reactive. They provide evidence after a crime has been committed, which, while useful for investigations, does not prevent the initial loss or damage. In a busy town like Padstow, the goal should be to stop opportunistic theft and criminal damage before it happens.

The scOS AI-powered home security operating system offers a proactive solution. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach your home or business. The system is designed to distinguish between residents, staff, and genuine intruders, ensuring that you are only alerted to real risks. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like high-intensity lighting or audio warnings. This immediate response is a powerful deterrent, as most burglars will move on if they are detected early. For Padstow residents, shifting from reactive recording to proactive AI protection provides the highest level of security, ensuring your property remains safe throughout the year.