Dawlish Warren Crime Rate

Dawlish Warren is a secure and popular coastal resort in South Devon, currently holding a high safety score of 83/100. The resort's overall crime rate is 67.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7. While the crime trend has shown a notable 57.4% increase over the past year, Dawlish Warren remains a statistically safe place for its 2,990 inhabitants. As a major holiday destination, the resort experiences seasonal fluctuations in activity, which contributes to its crime profile. With property crime rates well below national norms and low burglary rates, Dawlish Warren offers a high level of security for its residents and visitors. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types, trends, and safety insights.

Crime Breakdown in Dawlish Warren

Violence and sexual offences are the most common reports in Dawlish Warren, accounting for 98 crimes or 32.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.0 per 1,000 and 'other theft' at 5.3 per 1,000. These figures are typical for a popular coastal resort.

Property crime in Dawlish Warren, including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is low at 15.7 per 1,000 people. This is less than half the UK national average of 32.3. Within this category, 'other theft' and vehicle crime are the most frequent, with vehicle crime occurring at a rate of 2.7 per 1,000 people. Burglary is reported as very rare, affecting only 1.0 per 1,000 residents. For homeowners and holiday property owners, these figures reflect a secure environment, though the prevalence of 'other theft' and vehicle crime suggests that maintaining property boundaries and securing vehicles remains a sensible precaution, especially during the busy holiday seasons.

Crime Trends in Dawlish Warren

The crime trend in Dawlish Warren is currently increasing, with a significant 57.4% rise in reported incidents over the past year. While the resort remains safer than the UK average, this upward movement suggests a need for residents and property owners to be more proactive about their personal and property security.

Analysis of the monthly trendData from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, with a low of 1.0 in December and a peak of 9.4 in June. After a very quiet start to the year, activity increased sharply in the spring and remained elevated throughout the summer and autumn months, peaking in June and October. The year ended with a rate of 6.4 in November. This pattern suggests that while the overall crime rate is low, there has been a sustained increase in activity since the early spring, coinciding with the start of the holiday season. For residents, this highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security measures year-round.

How To Keep Safe in Dawlish Warren

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Dawlish Warren, often peaking during the busy summer holiday season. To maintain personal safety, it is always wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded resort areas or near the beach after dark, and to use well-lit routes where possible.

In a coastal resort like Dawlish Warren, anti-social behaviour and theft are the next most common issues. Ensuring your property's boundaries are well-defined and using motion-activated lighting can deter loitering and opportunistic crime. For those with vehicles, keeping valuables out of sight and ensuring your vehicle is securely locked is a sensible precaution, as vehicle crime is more frequent here than in some neighbouring villages.

Fostering strong relationships with neighbours through a local watch scheme can also help in identifying and reporting suspicious activity quickly. While the resort is very safe, staying proactive about your property's security is the best way to maintain the high standards of safety found in Dawlish Warren. Ensuring that all entry points and holiday accommodations are securely locked is particularly important during the peak season. Joining a local community alert programme can also keep you informed of any specific local safety concerns.

Crime Patterns in Dawlish Warren

Crime in Dawlish Warren follows a distinct daily pattern. The afternoon hours (12pm-6pm) are the most active for theft-related offences, which account for 68% of crimes during this period. This often involves opportunistic theft from properties or shops. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the focus shifts significantly towards 'other' offences, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 40% of reports, while vehicle crime also rises to 18%.

The night-time period (12am-6am) has the lowest overall volume of crime but presents a higher relative risk for specific property crimes. During this period, vehicle crime reaches its highest relative frequency at 46% of incidents, and burglary is also at its peak at 11%. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a high percentage of theft (61%) as the resort's businesses and holiday parks activate. For residents and visitors, this data highlights that securing vehicles overnight is essential, while being vigilant about property security during the afternoon is key to deterring opportunistic thieves. The seasonal nature of the resort means these patterns may be more pronounced during the summer months.

In the local context, Dawlish Warren's crime rate of 67.9 is notably lower than the neighbouring town of Dawlish (86.8). It is higher than smaller, more residential neighbours like Starcross (52.3) and settlements like Holcombe (22.7) or Cockwood (0.0), but it remains a secure choice for the region. For those seeking a coastal lifestyle with a balance of resort amenities and a safe environment, Dawlish Warren offers a statistically excellent residential setting that is significantly safer than larger Devon towns.

For residents and property owners in Dawlish Warren, property protection is about maintaining the resort's high safety standards, especially during the busy summer months. While the property crime rate is low at 15.7 per 1,000, it is always wise to be proactive. Traditional security cameras often only record a crime as it happens, which is of little comfort after a break-in or vehicle theft.

scOS provides a superior alternative by using AI-powered proactive protection. It monitors your property boundary 24/7, using multi-camera intelligence to detect potential threats before they reach your home or vehicle. The system is smart enough 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. In a resort like Dawlish Warren, where vehicle crime is more frequent overnight, this professional-grade deterrence is the most effective way to prevent crime and ensure your property remains a hard target.