Dawlish Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dawlish’s crime profile in September 2024, accounting for 46.1% of all reported incidents. With an overall crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents—16.9% below the UK average—the area’s performance highlights both strengths and vulnerabilities in its crime prevention framework. The dominance of violent crime, which stood at 3.0 per 1,000 (15% above the UK average), contrasts sharply with lower rates of property-related offences. Shoplifting, for instance, was 56% below the national average, likely due to Dawlish’s compact retail footprint and limited high-street exposure compared to larger urban centres. Seasonal factors also appear to influence patterns: the return to school and university term may have contributed to a 37.7% drop in crime compared to August, as increased supervision and structured routines reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour and theft. However, the above-average rate of violence suggests that localised tensions—possibly exacerbated by the influx of new students or seasonal social dynamics—require continued monitoring. Criminal damage and arson were 43% above the UK average, a trend that may reflect the area’s built-up character and the potential for vandalism in shared spaces. While the overall decline in crime is encouraging, the persistence of violent offences underscores the need for targeted interventions that address root causes beyond policing alone.

September saw a notable 100% increase in theft from the person, rising from 0 to 1 incident. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened awareness or changes in pedestrian activity during the month. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 80%, dropping from 5 to 1, a shift that could be linked to reduced summer traffic or improved security measures at car parks. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 50%, from 26 to 13 incidents, influenced by the return to school and university routines that curtail late-night gatherings. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly above the UK average (3.0 vs 2.6 per 1,000), while shoplifting was 56% below the national rate. These divergent trends illustrate how local dynamics—such as seasonal transitions—can reshape crime patterns even as overall rates decline.

Dawlish’s September 2024 crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents marks a 37.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 10.3 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the end of summer holidays and the return to routine, which may reduce opportunistic crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 3 crimes per day in September, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 76 offences. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 156 residents, a statistic that translates to a relatively low monthly exposure compared to the UK average. With a population of 11,870, this rate suggests that most residents experience minimal direct contact with crime, though localised spikes in specific categories—such as violence and sexual offences—highlight areas requiring targeted attention. The contrast between Dawlish’s performance and the UK average underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or environmental factors that may mitigate crime in this built-up area.