Plymouth Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Plymouth's December 2024 crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents places the area 23.9% above the UK average of 7.1, a stark contrast to the national picture. The crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences (40.5% of total), anti-social behaviour (15.3%), and criminal damage and arson (11.8%), all significantly above UK averages. This pattern aligns with Plymouth's character as a coastal city with a mix of urban and semi-rural areas, where seasonal factors like the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings may amplify tensions and property crime. Violence and sexual offences, at 3.6 per 1,000, are 41% above the UK average, a figure consistent with the city's history of higher rates in this category. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.4 per 1,000, is 49% above the UK rate, likely reflecting the density of social hubs in the city centre. Criminal damage and arson, at 1.0 per 1,000, is 89% above the UK average, suggesting persistent challenges in managing public spaces during the holiday season. While shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) is only 5% above the UK rate, this may be due to the city's retail presence, though the overall property crime rate (1.0 per 1,000) is lower than the UK average. The seasonal context of December—characterised by late-night shopping, festive events, and empty homes during the holidays—may contribute to the elevated rates of violence and anti-social behaviour, as well as the spike in drug-related offences. However, the drop in burglary (now 0.1 per 1,000, 68% below the UK average) suggests that targeted policing or improved home security measures may be yielding results in certain areas.

December 2024 saw a 64.3% increase in theft from the person, rising from 14 to 23 incidents, a stark contrast to the 50% UK average. Drug-related offences surged by 22%, climbing to 122 cases, which is 108% above the national average. Meanwhile, bicycle theft plummeted by 62.5%, with only six incidents reported—half the December 2023 figure. The crime mix shifted with violent crimes (40.5% of total) remaining high compared to the UK average, while burglary (1.4% of total) fell 68% below the national rate. This divergence highlights the area's unique challenges, with anti-social behaviour (15.3% of total) and criminal damage (11.8% of total) far outpacing UK rates. Residents may find the 27.7% drop in burglary cases—now 34 incidents compared to 47 in November—particularly relevant for home security planning.

Plymouth's crime rate in December 2024 fell to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, a 3.6% decline from November's 9.1 per 1,000. This small drop contrasts with the area's ongoing challenge of being 23.9% above the UK average. Daily crime statistics show 77 incidents reported each day in December, a figure that underscores the persistent demand on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 113 residents, a ratio that places Plymouth within the upper quartile of UK local authorities for monthly exposure. The population context reveals that 272,067 residents share this burden, with no significant demographic shifts in the past year to explain the rate. While some categories like burglary and vehicle crime show UK-aligned or better performance, the spike in drug-related offences and anti-social behaviour suggests targeted pressure points requiring further attention from local authorities.