Plymouth Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Plymouth's violent crime category stood out in May 2023 as a significant outlier, with violence and sexual offences at 2.5 per 1,000 residents—10% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. This contrasts with the national trend, where violent crime typically exceeds local averages in coastal urban centres. The overall crime rate for the area was 5.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 32.5% deficit compared to the UK average of 8.0. This performance aligns with Plymouth's status as a major port city with extensive public spaces and community policing initiatives that may contribute to lower violent crime rates. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 45.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 29.8%. The seasonal context of May—characterised by extended daylight hours and increased outdoor socialising—likely influenced patterns, with public order crimes decreasing by 42.6% month-on-month as police focus shifted to addressing anti-social behaviour in high-traffic areas. The lower violent crime rate may reflect Plymouth's mix of urban and coastal environments, where community engagement and tourist presence could deter more severe offences.

May 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with burglary increasing by 42.1% (19 → 27) and anti-social behaviour rising by 12.3% (390 → 438). These increases occurred alongside a 42.6% drop in public order crimes, which fell from 68 to 39. The contrast between rising anti-social behaviour and declining public order offences suggests a possible reallocation of police resources or changes in community dynamics. Violence and sexual offences remained the largest category, but their rate of 2.5 per 1,000 was 10% below the UK average, a consistent trend for Plymouth. Meanwhile, property crimes such as shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) were 59% and 78% below national averages, respectively, potentially reflecting the city's robust retail security measures and lower vehicle theft rates in coastal areas. A resident would find the 1-in-185 monthly exposure figure particularly relevant, as it contextualises crime risk relative to population size—equivalent to one crime occurring for every 185 residents over the course of the month.

Plymouth's crime rate in May 2023 (5.4 per 1,000) was marginally lower than the previous month's rate of 5.5 per 1,000, representing a 2.2% decline. This slight decrease, though modest, aligns with seasonal trends where warmer weather and extended daylight hours may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. The daily crime count averaged 47 incidents per day in May, a figure that provides residents with a concrete sense of frequency in their daily lives. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 185 residents, illustrating the relatively low risk compared to national benchmarks. When scaled to Plymouth's population of 272,067, this monthly exposure translates to a manageable level of risk, particularly when compared to areas with higher crime rates. The city's performance in categories like public order offences (85% below UK average) and criminal damage (52% below UK average) further highlights its distinct crime profile, which may be influenced by factors such as community policing strategies and the presence of tourist attractions that deter more severe offences.