Dawlish Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dawlish’s crime profile in July 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property-related offences, shaped by the area’s coastal character and seasonal dynamics. With a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents—59% below the UK average—Dawlish continues to demonstrate a significantly lower crime burden than the national average. The most common category was violence and sexual offences (35% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (25%) and criminal damage and arson (12.5%). This mix suggests a community where interpersonal conflicts and disorder are more prominent than property crime, a pattern consistent with Dawlish’s small-scale, built-up area status and its reliance on tourism during peak summer months. The relatively low levels of burglary (7.5%) and theft (10%) compared to UK averages may reflect the town’s compact nature, with limited commercial zones and fewer opportunities for large-scale property crimes. Seasonal factors in July—school holidays, festivals, and increased tourism—likely contributed to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence, though the overall rate remained below UK norms. The data also highlights a 55% reduction in drug-related crimes compared to the UK average, possibly linked to Dawlish’s limited nightlife and lower population density. While the crime mix shows no immediate signs of systemic issues, the prominence of violence-related offences warrants contextual consideration, particularly during periods of heightened social activity.

July 2023 saw notable shifts in Dawlish’s crime patterns, with robbery and burglary both doubling from zero to one and three incidents respectively—a 100% increase for both categories. This spike may reflect seasonal changes, such as increased foot traffic during festivals or the temporary presence of transient populations. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 44.4% (from 18 to 10 incidents), potentially due to targeted local initiatives or the dispersal of crowds following the end of school terms. Violence and sexual offences rose by 7.7%, though they remained 57% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000). The category’s prominence—accounting for 35% of all crimes—highlights a persistent challenge for local authorities, even as the overall rate remains low. Drug-related crimes also declined by 50%, from two to one incident, aligning with the town’s limited nightlife and lower population density. These fluctuations underscore the influence of seasonal rhythms on crime, with festivals and tourism events likely amplifying certain types of activity while others, like anti-social behaviour, may be mitigated by community engagement or environmental factors. For residents, the 59% gap between Dawlish’s rate (3.4 per 1,000) and the UK average (8.3 per 1,000) offers a tangible benchmark for local safety, though the rise in robbery and burglary highlights the need for vigilance during peak tourist periods.

Dawlish’s crime rate in July 2023 (3.4 per 1,000 residents) marked an 11.1% decrease from June’s rate of 3.8 per 1,000, reflecting a continued trend of relative safety compared to other UK areas. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately one reported crime per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the concentrated nature of incidents during peak tourist and social activity periods. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 297 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, which would be significantly higher given Dawlish’s overall rate. This statistic translates to a 1-in-297 chance of being directly affected by crime, a figure that is particularly striking when considering the town’s population of 11,870. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a slight but consistent decline in crime, which may be attributed to the seasonal lull following the summer solstice or the winding down of festival events. While the daily crime count is a modest figure, it is important to contextualise it within Dawlish’s built-up area status and its relatively small population, which inherently limits the scale of potential criminal opportunities. The town’s performance compared to the UK average further illustrates its unique position as a low-crime coastal community, where the interplay of geography, population density, and seasonal dynamics creates a distinct crime profile.