Dawlish Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

April 2023 saw a stark shift in Dawlish's crime profile, with burglary and criminal damage and arson both surging by 400% compared to March. This unexpected spike in property-related crimes contrasts with the area's generally lower-than-average crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents — 25.3% below the UK average of 7.5. The most common crimes remained violence and sexual offences (37.3% of total) and anti-social behaviour (17.9%), though both categories remained significantly below their respective UK averages. Spring weather and the Easter period likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may partly explain the rise in public order offences and anti-social behaviour. However, the sharp increase in burglary and criminal damage defies seasonal expectations, suggesting other factors may have influenced these categories. The breakdown shows a complex mix of crime types, with property crimes accounting for 28.9% of the total (21 incidents) and violent crimes making up 37.3% (25 incidents). This balance reflects Dawlish's character as a built-up area within Teignbridge, where retail and residential zones coexist, creating opportunities for both violent and property crimes. The relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) may indicate effective local policing or community measures, though the 400% jump in burglary remains unexplained by the data provided.

April 2023 marked a dramatic 400% month-on-month increase in burglary and criminal damage and arson, both rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This sharp rise in property crimes contrasts with the 100% increase in anti-social behaviour (6 to 12 incidents) and the 50% decrease in other theft (4 to 2 incidents). Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type (25 incidents, 37.3% of total), but their rate of 2.1 per 1,000 was 19% below the UK average of 2.6. Anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000) was also 15% below the UK average of 1.2, suggesting Dawlish's community policing efforts may be having a measurable impact. The 33% above-UK-average rate for burglary (0.4 per 1,000 vs UK 0.3) highlights a specific vulnerability, though the 400% increase from March remains unexplained by the data. Residents may want to note that while vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) was 33% below the UK average of 0.5, the sudden surge in burglary could indicate targeted activity or changes in local dynamics. These shifts underscore the need for continued vigilance in Dawlish's built-up area, where property crimes now account for 28.9% of the total despite the area's overall lower crime rate.

Dawlish's crime rate in April 2023 (5.6 per 1,000) represented a 28.8% increase from March's 4.4 per 1,000.3% below the UK average of 7.5. Over the course of April, 67 crimes were reported — roughly 2 per day — equating to 1 crime for every 177 residents. This monthly exposure rate, while lower than the UK average, suggests that residents face a manageable level of risk compared to national standards. The previous month's rate (4.4) indicates a gradual upward trend, though the 400% surge in burglary and criminal damage in April complicates this trajectory. On a daily basis, the 2 crimes per day figure aligns with Dawlish's built-up area status, where higher population density can correlate with increased crime opportunities. However, the 1-in-177 resident monthly exposure rate is better than the UK average, which typically sees 1-in-133 residents affected. This disparity may reflect effective local policing strategies or the area's specific demographic profile. While the population-scaled perspective shows Dawlish's crime rate is relatively low, the 400% jump in burglary highlights the need for targeted interventions to address this sudden anomaly without compromising the area's overall safety record.