Dawlish Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Dawlish’s crime rate in December 2025 was 6.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 10% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This improvement reflects a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 49.3% of all incidents, with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000—21% above the UK average. This category’s prominence may be linked to the built-up nature of the area, where concentrated populations and limited public spaces could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. Criminal damage and arson followed closely, making up 13.3% of reported crimes, with a rate of 0.8 per 1,000—54% above the UK average. This could be influenced by the area’s proximity to natural environments, where arson might be more prevalent during colder months when vegetation is dry. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.8 per 1,000, was 14% below the UK average, suggesting that community-focused initiatives or local policing efforts may have mitigated some disturbances. December’s unique context—Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and holiday-related absences—likely shaped these trends. For instance, the spike in burglary (up 100%) may reflect homes left unoccupied during the festive period, while the decline in shoplifting (30% below UK average) could be tied to reduced retail activity and earlier store closures. These patterns illustrate how seasonal rhythms and local characteristics interact to influence crime outcomes, even within a relatively low overall crime rate.

December 2025 saw significant reductions in certain crime categories, with other theft falling by 75% (from 4 to 1) and drugs-related offences dropping by 50% (from 2 to 1). These decreases may reflect seasonal changes, such as reduced social activity during the Christmas period. Conversely, burglary increased by 100%, rising from 1 to 2 incidents, a shift that could be linked to holiday-related home vulnerabilities, such as empty properties. Violence and sexual offences remained high, with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000—21% above the UK average—highlighting a persistent challenge in the area. Public order offences also rose by 40% (from 10 to 6), influenced by the increased foot traffic and festive events typical of December. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 30% compared to the UK average, a trend consistent with lower retail activity during the holiday season when many shops close early or reduce opening hours.

Dawlish's crime rate in December 2025 stood at 6.3 per 1,000 residents, a 27.9% decline from the previous month’s rate of 8.8 per 1,000. This drop aligns with seasonal patterns, as December’s shorter evenings and holiday closures may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the overall rate in local terms. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 158 residents, a measure that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the population size. This monthly exposure rate suggests that most residents are not directly affected by crime, though specific categories like violence and sexual offences remain notable. The population context further illustrates that Dawlish’s crime profile is shaped by its built-up character, where concentrated communities may see distinct crime patterns compared to more dispersed rural areas. The contrast with the previous month underscores the influence of temporary factors, such as festive periods, on crime trends.