Dawlish Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2025, Dawlish's crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents marked a significant 23.9% reduction compared to the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure, while still reflecting a level of criminal activity, positions the area as one of the safer built-up locations in the country. The distribution of crimes highlights a distinct pattern, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly half (48.3%) of all reports, followed by shoplifting (13.3%) and anti-social behaviour (11.7%). This emphasis on violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely plays a role in shaping these patterns. Lower temperatures and shorter daylight hours may have diminished opportunities for certain crimes, such as those dependent on public spaces or retail environments. However, the high proportion of violent offences suggests that local factors, such as community dynamics or targeted policing efforts, may be influencing this trend. The UK average for violence and sexual offences stands at 2.4 per 1,000, a rate that Dawlish matches exactly, indicating no significant deviation in this category. This alignment with national trends for violent crime, despite the overall lower rate, points to a combination of local conditions and broader crime profiles. The presence of shoplifting above the UK average, coupled with anti-social behaviour significantly below it, further illustrates the nuanced nature of Dawlish's crime profile. These findings, when viewed through the lens of seasonal factors and local characteristics, offer insight into how crime rates translate to everyday risk for residents.

February 2025 saw a 52.9% drop in shoplifting compared to January, with incidents falling from 17 to 8. This decline may reflect reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the winter months.7 per 1,000 still exceeds the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 by 13%. Conversely, bicycle theft rose by 100% from zero to one incident, an anomaly that could signal increased cycling activity or targeted theft in specific locations. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark contrast between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences comprising 48.3% of all reports—significantly higher than the UK average of 2.4 per 1,000. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour incidents fell 38% below the UK average, suggesting effective community management or lower prevalence in Dawlish compared to national trends. These shifts underscore the combination of local conditions and broader crime patterns, with violent crime remaining a focal concern for residents and authorities.

Dawlish's crime rate in February 2025 fell to 5.1 per 1,000 residents, a 43.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the typical pre-spring lull in activity, where lower outdoor engagement and reduced foot traffic in retail areas may temper opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 reported crimes per day in February, a figure that translates to roughly one crime for every 198 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, placing Dawlish among the safer built-up areas in the UK. When scaled to the local population of 11,870, the 60 total crimes reported represent a manageable proportion of the community, though the distribution across crime types reveals patterns worth examining. The contrast between February's figures and the previous month highlights the influence of seasonal rhythms on local crime dynamics, with colder weather and shorter days likely contributing to reduced visibility and activity in public spaces.