Dawlish Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Dawlish during July 2024 reveals a distinct emphasis on interpersonal and community-level issues rather than property-focused offences. With 7.9 crimes reported per 1,000 residents, the area's overall crime rate sits 6% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This balance of crime types suggests a mix of social and environmental factors influencing local patterns. Violence and sexual offences (43 incidents) dominate the crime mix, accounting for 45.7% of all reported crimes, significantly higher than the UK average for this category (2.9 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour (21 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (9 incidents) follow closely, each exceeding their respective UK averages by 24% and 27% respectively. This suggests a potential link to seasonal dynamics: July, as a peak summer month with schools out and tourism at its height, may contribute to heightened social interactions in public spaces. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000, 57% below UK average) and shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000, 71% below UK average) align with Dawlish's character as a coastal town with fewer commercial hubs than major urban centres. However, the sharp rise in bicycle theft (0.2 per 1,000, 122% above UK average) could reflect increased cycling activity during warmer weather or targeted theft in tourist areas. The dominance of violent and anti-social offences over property crimes contrasts with the UK-wide trend where property crimes often lead in many regions, indicating a unique local dynamic that may require tailored community engagement strategies.

July 2024 saw marked fluctuations in specific crime categories, with three notable increases: criminal damage and arson rose by 125% (from 4 to 9 incidents), vehicle crime doubled (1 to 2 incidents), and possession of weapons increased by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident). These spikes may be linked to summer-specific factors such as increased outdoor events or festivals, which can sometimes correlate with vandalism and related offences. Conversely, public order offences fell by 45.5% (from 11 to 6 incidents), possibly reflecting improved policing during busy tourist periods or a natural seasonal shift in community behaviour. The crime mix in July shows a stark contrast to the UK average in several categories: violence and sexual offences (3.6 per 1,000) are 26% above the UK rate, while public order offences (0.5 per 1,000) are 22% below the national average. This divergence highlights the importance of local context in understanding crime patterns. Residents may find the 122% increase in bicycle theft particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a specific vulnerability in the area's infrastructure or a need for targeted prevention measures. The relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.7 per 1,000) could indicate effective retail security measures or fewer high-traffic commercial zones in Dawlish.

The crime rate in Dawlish rose by 8% in July 2024 compared to the previous month (7.3 per 1,000 to 7.9 per 1,000), reflecting a slight upward trend despite remaining below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in July, a figure that, while modest, may still be of concern to local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 126 residents, a monthly exposure rate that translates to a 0.8% chance of being affected by crime during the period. When considered alongside Dawlish's population of 11,870, this rate suggests that while the area is generally safer than the UK average, residents are not immune to localised spikes in specific crime types. The comparison to the previous month's rate highlights the volatility of crime patterns in Dawlish, which may be influenced by factors such as seasonal tourism fluctuations or changes in police resource allocation. The daily crime context provides a tangible measure for residents to assess their personal risk, while the population-scaled perspective offers a broader understanding of how crime affects the community as a whole. These figures underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and tailored interventions to address emerging trends without overreacting to short-term variations.