Plymouth Crime Rate

Plymouth is a vibrant port city with an overall crime rate of 109.0 per 1,000 people for the period of January 2025 to December 2025. While this figure is above the UK national average of 91.6, the city maintains a respectable safety score of 74/100. The crime trend is currently stable, showing a slight 1.5% decrease year-over-year. Interestingly, despite the higher overall rate, Plymouth's property crime rate of 30.1 per 1,000 is actually lower than the UK average of 32.2, suggesting that residents are at a lower risk of burglary and theft than in many other urban areas. The majority of local crime is driven by violence and anti-social behaviour. This analysis provides a comprehensive look at the safety landscape across the Plymouth local authority area.

Plymouth is a major port city on the south coast of Devon, characterised by its deep naval history and a mix of urban, suburban, and coastal environments. As the home to HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, the city has a significant military and transient population. The city centre is a hub for retail and commerce, while areas like the Barbican and the Hoe are major tourist attractions, drawing large crowds throughout the year.

The presence of the University of Plymouth also brings a large student population to the city, which influences the local demographic and nightlife. These factors—tourism, a busy port, a major university, and a vibrant night-time economy—all contribute to the city's crime statistics. High-density urban living in the central wards contrasts with more affluent suburban areas like Plymstock and Plympton. Economic factors, including pockets of deprivation common in port cities, also play a role in the local crime rate, particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime. Understanding Plymouth requires balancing its role as a regional economic engine with the social challenges inherent in a large, diverse urban population.

In Plymouth, the crime landscape is primarily led by violence and sexual offences, which account for a significant 42.1% of all recorded incidents (45.9 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 17.1%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.2%. These figures highlight that personal safety and public order are the primary focus areas for local law enforcement.

Property-related crime in Plymouth is slightly below the national average, with a rate of 30.1 per 1,000 people compared to the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, shoplifting is the most prevalent, representing 6.7% of total crime, followed by other theft at 6.4%. Vehicle crime and burglary are relatively low, accounting for 2.7% and 1.9% of total incidents respectively. For homeowners, this means that while the risk of burglary is statistically low (2.1 per 1,000), there is a persistent level of general theft and criminal damage across the city. Residents should be mindful that while property crime is not at crisis levels, the overall volume of crime in a large city like Plymouth necessitates consistent security awareness, particularly in urban and commercial areas.

The crime trend in Plymouth is currently stable, with a minor 1.5% decrease in total offences recorded between January 2025 and December 2025. Monthly data shows a consistent pattern of activity, with the crime rate per 1,000 people hovering between 8.2 and 10.4. The busiest months were May, June, July, and August, all recording rates of 9.5 or higher, peaking at 10.4 in July. This aligns with the city's role as a tourist destination, as higher footfall during the summer months often leads to an increase in reported incidents.

The quieter months were January, February, November, and December, with rates dipping as low as 8.2. This stability suggests that Plymouth's safety environment is predictable, without major surges or declines in criminal activity. For residents, this means that the risks remain consistent throughout the year, though extra vigilance is recommended during the peak summer tourist season when the city is at its busiest. Overall, the data indicates a well-managed safety landscape for a city of Plymouth's size and complexity.

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Plymouth's crime statistics reflect its status as the region's primary urban centre. Surrounding areas such as South Hams, West Devon, Teignbridge, and Cornwall all record significantly lower crime rates, often near zero in comparison to the city's 109.0 per 1,000. Similarly, other Devon cities like Exeter and Torbay show much lower reported figures in this data period. This disparity is typical for the South West, where a large city like Plymouth naturally experiences a higher concentration of crime than the surrounding rural and semi-rural districts. For those seeking an urban lifestyle in the region, Plymouth's stats are a standard reflection of city life.

With a property crime rate of 30.1 per 1,000 and a significant amount of anti-social behaviour, Plymouth residents should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems are reactive; they record footage of a crime as it happens, which often only helps after the damage is done. In a city where criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are top concerns, the goal should be to prevent the incident from occurring in the first place.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to monitor property boundaries in real-time. Unlike a simple doorbell camera, scOS identifies potential threats before they reach your door. It can recognise family members and deliveries while alerting you only to genuine risks. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger responses like lighting and audio warnings to deter the intruder. For Plymouth homeowners, this means moving from just having evidence of a crime to actively preventing it. In an urban environment, the visible deterrence of a professional-grade AI system like scOS is a powerful tool in keeping your property safe.

How To Keep Safe in Plymouth

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Plymouth, making up over 42% of all recorded incidents. While much of this is concentrated in specific urban areas and related to the night-time economy, all residents can benefit from increased safety awareness.

To stay safe in the Plymouth local authority area, consider the following advice:

• When enjoying Plymouth's nightlife, particularly in the Barbican or city centre, stay with friends and use licensed taxis or public transport to get home.
• Be aware of your surroundings in busy urban areas and stick to well-lit, populated routes at night.
• Given the prevalence of anti-social behaviour, ensure your home's exterior is well-lit and that boundaries like fences and gates are secure.
• Report any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police via 101 to help them target patrols more effectively.
• Keep your home and vehicle secure at all times; although property crime is below the national average, opportunistic theft can still occur in any urban setting.