Dawlish Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2023, Dawlish recorded a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 46.2% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure, while modest, reflects a persistent pattern of lower-than-average crime in the built-up coastal town. The breakdown of incidents reveals a stark contrast between property and violent crime: violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.3% of total crimes, with anti-social behaviour making up 29.4%. These figures highlight a trend where violent and disruptive incidents dominate the local crime profile, diverging from the UK norm where property crime typically holds a larger share. Seasonal factors may play a role in this dynamic, as October brings shorter evenings and the Halloween period, which can influence both retail crime and public order issues. However, the area's overall safety—evidenced by the 46.2% gap from the UK average—suggests that local characteristics, such as a relatively small population or effective policing, may contribute to this balance. Property crimes, while showing a 400% spike in shoplifting, remained a smaller proportion of the total, indicating that community-focused initiatives or environmental factors in Dawlish might be reducing opportunities for theft. This contrast between violent and property crime underscores the need for targeted strategies that address both categories while leveraging the area's existing strengths in maintaining safety.

October 2023 saw a dramatic 400% increase in shoplifting, rising from one to five incidents. This surge, coupled with a 200% rise in 'other crime' and a 100% increase in burglary, signals a shift in the crime mix. Violent crimes accounted for 33.3% of total incidents, a proportion significantly higher than the UK average for violence and sexual offences (48% below). Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour decreased by 28.6%, aligning with broader reductions in public order offences. The sharp rise in shoplifting may be linked to Halloween. Residents should note that property crimes—despite the shoplifting spike—still represented only 23.5% of total offences, underscoring the dominance of violent and anti-social incidents. This imbalance contrasts with the UK average, where property crime typically holds a larger share, suggesting unique local dynamics at play.

Dawlish's crime rate in October 2023 fell to 4.3 per 1,000 residents, a 12.1% decline from the previous month's 4.9. This reduction positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with a rate 46.2% below the national average of 8.0. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly two crimes reported each day, a figure that, while low, reflects the persistent presence of crime in a built-up coastal community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 233 residents, a statistic that contextualises the monthly exposure for local households. With a population of 11,870, the rate highlights the relative safety of the area compared to other UK towns of similar size. The drop from the previous month may partly reflect seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings and the transition out of the Halloween period, which can influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and property crime. However, the continued low rate suggests that local efforts—such as community policing or targeted interventions—may be contributing to sustained reductions.