Plymouth Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, Plymouth's crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents placed it 26.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure reflects a combination of local factors, including the city's coastal geography and seasonal dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.2% of all reported incidents, while anti-social behaviour followed closely at 26.0%. These patterns are consistent with the characteristics of a major urban centre with a significant retail and tourism sector, where public order and interpersonal conflicts may be more prevalent. The relatively low rates of property crimes—particularly shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary—suggest effective policing strategies or environmental deterrents in areas with high foot traffic. Seasonal context also plays a role, as April's spring weather and Easter-related activities may have influenced crime patterns. For instance, the drop in bicycle theft could be attributed to reduced outdoor activity during colder days. The contrast between Plymouth's violent crime dominance and the UK average's more balanced property-violent split indicates a need for targeted interventions in areas where interpersonal crime is concentrated. This profile highlights the importance of understanding local demographics, such as the city's mix of permanent residents and transient visitors, in shaping crime trends.

April 2023 saw a sharp 64.7% drop in theft from the person, falling from 17 to 6 incidents. This decline, alongside a 62.5% reduction in robbery and a 61.5% decrease in bicycle theft, suggests a marked improvement in personal safety during the month. The balance between property and violent crime shifted significantly, with violent crimes comprising 42.2% of the total, compared to property crimes at 21.1%. This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically hold a larger share. Violence and sexual offences in Plymouth were 12% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect local initiatives targeting domestic abuse or public safety. Conversely, anti-social behaviour in Plymouth was 19% above the UK average, a discrepancy that could be linked to the city's coastal character and transient populations during the Easter period. The only category showing an increase was 'other crime', which rose by 13.0%, highlighting the need for further analysis of this broad category.

Plymouth's crime rate in April 2023 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, marking a 26.1% decline from the previous month's rate of 7.5 per 1,000. This drop aligns with typical seasonal patterns observed in coastal areas during spring, when increased daylight and milder weather may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Daily crime counts averaged 50 incidents per day in April, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 181 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. When scaled to Plymouth's population of 272,067, this suggests that most residents would experience no crime at all during April, with only a small proportion encountering incidents. The contrast with the UK average highlights Plymouth's distinct crime profile, particularly in categories like vehicle crime and burglary, which saw rates significantly below national levels. This comparison reinforces the idea that local factors—such as community policing efforts or urban design—may be contributing to the area's lower crime rates relative to the UK.