Dawlish Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

April 2025 marked a significant and unexpected surge in specific crime types within Dawlish, a built-up area within Teignbridge. The most surprising finding was the 200% increase in drugs-related offences, which rose from two to six incidents, while public order offences also doubled, highlighting a shift in the nature of crime being reported. Despite this, Dawlish's overall crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents remained 7.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting the area's relatively low crime profile compared to the national context. The top crime types in April were violence and sexual offences (31 incidents, 36.9% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (14 incidents, 16.7%). These figures were consistent with the area's historical patterns, which have typically seen a higher proportion of violent crimes due to the town's mix of residential and commercial activity. However, the sharp rise in drugs-related and public order offences in April contrasts with the usual seasonal trends, which are typically influenced by increased outdoor activity during spring and the Easter holiday period. The seasonal context may have contributed to these changes, as the Easter period often brings more visitors to the area, potentially increasing the visibility of certain types of crime. Additionally, the increase in shoplifting (11 incidents, 13.1% of total) and criminal damage and arson (9 incidents, 10.7%) suggests that property-related crimes are becoming a more prominent concern in Dawlish. This shift in crime dynamics may warrant further analysis to understand the underlying factors driving these changes, particularly given the area's relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average. The combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and the specific nature of Dawlish as a built-up area within a larger district may all contribute to these trends, but any definitive causal links. As the area continues to monitor these developments, it will be important to consider how local initiatives and community engagement can address the emerging challenges in crime prevention.

The most striking change in April 2025 was the 200% increase in drugs-related offences, which rose from two to six incidents. This surge, coupled with a parallel 200% rise in public order offences, highlights an unexpected shift in the types of crime being reported. Shoplifting also saw a 120% increase, reaching 11 incidents, which places it 36% above the UK average for the same category. This sharp rise in property-related crimes contrasts with a 21% decrease in vehicle crime, which fell to three incidents. The overall balance of crime in Dawlish remains skewed towards violent crimes (36.9% of total incidents) and anti-social behaviour (16.7%), both of which are significant contributors to the area's crime profile. The increase in drugs-related offences may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the Easter period, which often sees changes in local demographics and activity patterns. These shifts underscore the importance of understanding how seasonal and temporal factors influence crime trends in Dawlish.

Dawlish's crime rate in April 2025 rose by 33.3% compared to March 2025, marking a notable upward shift in local crime statistics. This increase brings the current rate to 7.1 per 1,000 residents, which, while still 7.8% below the UK average, reflects a significant monthly fluctuation. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day in April, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. When considering the population context, over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 141 residents. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of how crime is distributed across Dawlish's population, highlighting that while the rate remains lower than the UK average, the increase from the previous month suggests a need for continued monitoring of local trends. The shift in crime patterns may also reflect seasonal factors, such as increased outdoor activity during spring and the Easter holiday period, which could contribute to higher visibility of certain types of incidents.