Plymouth Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Plymouth’s December 2023 crime rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents places it 5.6% above the UK average of 7.2, marking a significant deviation from national trends. This figure, derived from 2,074 total crimes, highlights a shift in the local crime profile, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 44.6% of all reported incidents. This category’s rate of 3.4 per 1,000 is 30% above the UK average, a disparity that may be linked to the city’s urban density and the seasonal context of December. The month, characterised by dark evenings, holiday gatherings, and empty homes over Christmas, likely creates conditions conducive to violent crime. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also rose above UK averages, though these categories represented a smaller share of overall crime. Conversely, theft from the person and bicycle theft were 44% and 100% below the UK average, consistent with reduced outdoor activity during the festive season. The interplay between local geography and seasonal factors—such as the proximity of Plymouth’s harbours and the influx of visitors during the Christmas shopping peak—may partly explain these patterns. While the overall rate is higher than the UK average, specific categories like vehicle crime and burglary fall below national figures, illustrating the complexity of crime dynamics in a coastal urban area.

December 2023 saw sharp month-on-month increases in burglary (+213.3%), vehicle crime (+148.3%), and robbery (+140.0%), reflecting a notable uptick in property-related offences. This surge contrasts with declines in anti-social behaviour (-10.6%) and other crime (-5.4%), indicating a shift in crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, accounting for 44.6% of all crimes and 30% above the UK average. Vehicle crime, which fell 33% below the UK average, may be influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced traffic during holiday periods. Residents may find the 12 reported robberies in December particularly concerning, as this category was 100% below the UK average. The data also reveals a stark disparity: while drug-related crimes were 50% above the UK average, theft from the person and bicycle theft were 44% and 100% below, respectively, likely due to decreased outdoor activity during the festive season.

Plymouth's crime rate in December 2023 rose to 7.6 per 1,000 residents, a 57.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.9. This jump reflects a significant shift in the local crime profile, with daily crime counts averaging 67 incidents per day. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 131 residents, underscoring the frequency of incidents in a population of 272,067. While this monthly exposure figure is higher than the UK average, it is essential to contextualise it within Plymouth’s unique characteristics. The city’s mix of urban and coastal environments, coupled with seasonal factors such as dark evenings and holiday-related activity, may contribute to the fluctuation. Comparisons to the UK average highlight areas where Plymouth diverges, such as the significantly higher rates of violence and sexual offences, which are 30% above the national figure. However, other categories like vehicle crime and burglary fall below UK averages, suggesting a combination of local and national trends.