Dawlish Crime Rate

Dawlish is a popular seaside town in South Devon with a safety score of 78/100, positioning it as a secure location compared to the national average. The town's overall crime rate is 86.8 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK national average of 91.7. While the crime trend has shown a 5.5% increase over the past year, Dawlish remains a statistically safe place for its 11,870 inhabitants. As a significant coastal destination, the town experiences seasonal fluctuations in activity, particularly during the summer months, but its property crime rates remain below national figures. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, trends, and safety advice for the Dawlish area.

Crime Breakdown in Dawlish

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported incidents in Dawlish, with 473 crimes or 39.9 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.3 per 1,000 and shoplifting at 7.7 per 1,000. These figures are characteristic of a seaside town with a high volume of seasonal visitors.

Property crime in Dawlish, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 24.3 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK national average of 32.3. Within this category, shoplifting and criminal damage are the most common. Residential burglary is relatively low at 2.4 per 1,000 people, and vehicle crime is also low at 1.7 per 1,000. For homeowners, the primary concerns are opportunistic theft and criminal damage, suggesting that maintaining visible security and well-defined property boundaries is particularly effective in this coastal community.

Crime Trends in Dawlish

Dawlish's crime trend is currently increasing, with a 5.5% rise in total offences over the last 12 months. While the town remains safer than the UK average, this upward movement suggests a need for continued vigilance among residents and business owners.

Monthly trendData from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows a distinct seasonal pattern typical of a coastal resort. The year began with a high of 8.9 in January, followed by a quieter spring. A significant peak occurred in July, with the rate reaching 10.7 per 1,000 residents, coinciding with the height of the summer tourism season. The rates remained elevated in August (8.9) before tapering off in the autumn. However, another spike occurred in November, ending the period at 8.8. This pattern indicates that while summer tourism drives higher incident rates, the town also experiences significant activity during the winter months. For residents, this highlights the importance of maintaining property security year-round.

How To Keep Safe in Dawlish

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Dawlish, often peaking during the busy summer months and in the town centre's evening economy. To stay safe, it is advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas or near the seafront during the height of the tourist season.

When walking through the town at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated shortcuts or unlit beach areas. If you are enjoying the town's nightlife, planning your journey home and staying with friends can enhance your personal safety.

In residential areas, be aware of anti-social behaviour, which is the second most common issue. Ensuring your property's boundaries are well-defined and using motion-activated lighting can deter loitering and opportunistic crime. For those living near the town centre, keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle and ensure that your home's entry points are always secure. Joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme can also help you stay informed about any specific local safety concerns.

Crime Patterns in Dawlish

Crime in Dawlish follows a clear temporal pattern throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the most active period for theft-related offences, accounting for 48% of crimes during these hours, largely driven by shoplifting and opportunistic theft in the town centre. As the day moves into the evening (6pm-12am), the focus shifts to 'other' offences, including anti-social behaviour and public order, which make up 56% of reports.

The night-time hours (12am-6am) see the lowest overall volume of crime but a higher relative risk for property offences. During this period, burglary reaches its peak relative frequency at 22% of incidents, and vehicle crime also rises to 24%. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a resurgence in theft (45%) as the town's retail sector opens. For residents, this data suggests that securing vehicles and properties overnight is essential, while maintaining personal awareness in commercial areas is most important during the busy afternoon hours.

In the local context, Dawlish's crime rate of 86.8 is very similar to its coastal neighbour Teignmouth (81.8). However, it is notably higher than smaller, more residential neighbours like Starcross (52.3), Dawlish Warren (67.9), and Holcombe (22.7). These differences are largely due to Dawlish's status as a commercial and tourist hub, which naturally attracts higher levels of footfall and incident reporting. Despite these local variations, Dawlish offers a safe coastal environment that is more secure than many similar-sized towns across the UK.

For homeowners in Dawlish, property security is most effective when it focuses on prevention. While the property crime rate is a relatively low 24.3 per 1,000, the seasonal influx of visitors can lead to opportunistic incidents. Traditional CCTV cameras often only provide footage after a crime has been committed, which does little to protect your home in real-time.

scOS offers a modern solution with AI-powered proactive protection. It monitors your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence to detect potential threats before they reach your home. The system learns to recognise your family and regular visitors, ensuring you only receive alerts for genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously respond by activating lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise. This professional-grade deterrence is particularly valuable in a town like Dawlish, ensuring your home remains a difficult target and encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on.