Dawlish Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dawlish's crime rate in December 2023 stood at 5.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 25% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.2. This figure, while showing a 59.9% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.4, reflects a broader pattern of relative safety within the built-up area. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.8% of all reported incidents (28 cases), followed by other theft (14.1%) and anti-social behaviour (10.9%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of December, when extended evenings, holiday shopping, and festive celebrations can influence crime dynamics. The lower-than-average violent crime rate may be partially explained by Dawlish's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where community-focused policing and limited nightlife could mitigate some forms of violence. However, the sharp rise in other theft and shoplifting suggests that retail environments, particularly during the Christmas period, may present heightened risks. The area's overall crime profile remains significantly safer than the UK average, though the seasonal context and specific vulnerabilities identified in the data warrant continued monitoring.

December 2023 saw sharp increases in certain crime categories, with other theft rising by 800% (from 1 to 9 incidents) and shoplifting surging by 250% (from 2 to 7). These spikes, likely tied to Christmas shopping and holiday retail activity, contrast with notable decreases in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 83.3% (from 6 to 1). Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 36.4% (from 11 to 7), a shift that may reflect seasonal changes in community activity or temporary reductions in public gatherings. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained 8% below the UK average (2.4 vs 2.6 per 1,000), suggesting local factors such as community cohesion or effective policing strategies could be contributing to this trend. The 36% increase in other theft compared to the UK average (0.8 vs 0.6 per 1,000) highlights a specific vulnerability in Dawlish's crime profile, linked to the area's retail and tourism sectors during the festive period.

Dawlish's crime rate in December 2023 rose by 59.9% compared to the previous month, moving from 3.4 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, still places the area 25% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day over the month, a figure that, while low, reflects the area's small population of 11,870. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 185 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively sparse nature of criminal activity in Dawlish. This context suggests that while the area has seen a rise in crime compared to November, its overall profile remains significantly safer than the national average. The population-scaled perspective further highlights how even a modest increase in crime can feel more pronounced in smaller communities, where individual incidents have a greater visible impact on residents' perceptions of safety.