Dawlish Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dawlish’s crime rate in June 2023 stood at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 55.3% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national figures underscores the area’s relatively low crime profile, a trend consistent with its character as a coastal town within Teignbridge. Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime profile, comprising 40% of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (28.9%) and criminal damage and arson (11.1%). The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer and the beginning of tourism activity in coastal areas—may partly explain the prevalence of anti-social behaviour, which often correlates with increased public gatherings. However, the area’s overall safety remains evident, with violent crime rates 62% below the UK average and property crime rates similarly subdued. This suggests that Dawlish’s geographical and demographic profile, likely shaped by its coastal location and smaller population size, contributes to a crime picture that diverges significantly from national trends. The data also reveals a balanced mix of crime types, with no single category dominating to an extreme degree. While the month’s longer daylight hours and tourism influx may have influenced the types of incidents reported, the overall low rate indicates effective local policing or community factors that mitigate criminal activity. This pattern aligns with typical characteristics of smaller built-up areas near coastlines, where tourism and residential populations coexist without the density of larger urban centres.

June 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson surging by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and public order offences doubling (from 1 to 3). This sharp increase in property-related crimes may reflect seasonal pressures, such as increased foot traffic during the early summer months or the start of holiday preparations. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 31.6% compared to the previous month, dropping from 19 to 13 incidents. This decline, despite the summer season, contrasts with typical patterns in areas with higher tourism, where violent crime often rises. The breakdown also reveals that anti-social behaviour, while the most common category, aligned closely with the UK average (1.5 per 1,000), whereas violent crime remained 62% below national rates. For residents, the most immediate insight is the sharp rise in criminal damage, which may warrant closer attention from local authorities. The data also highlights a notable anomaly: drugs offences doubled, though they remain well below the UK average (0.2 vs 0.2 per 1,000). This suggests either a temporary spike or a specific local factor influencing drug-related incidents. The overall shift in crime mix—towards property crimes and away from violence—could indicate changing patterns in how crime manifests during the summer months in coastal towns.

Dawlish’s June 2023 crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents marked a 9.9% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000, though it remains substantially lower than the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the month, a figure that, while modest, may reflect the impact of seasonal transitions. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure to crime was 1 reported incident for every 264 residents, a statistic that contextualises the low frequency of crime in a way that is immediately relatable to residents. This monthly exposure rate is particularly significant when compared to larger urban areas, where such figures often exceed 1 in 100 residents. The population context further highlights the disparity: with 11,870 residents, Dawlish’s relatively small size likely contributes to its lower crime rates, as smaller communities often benefit from stronger social cohesion and more effective local policing. The 9.9% month-on-month increase, though modest, may be attributed to the seasonal dynamics of June, which marks the beginning of summer and the onset of tourism in coastal areas. However, even with this increase, Dawlish’s crime profile remains markedly safer than the national average, reinforcing its position as a low-crime built-up area within Teignbridge.