Dawlish Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Dawlish during July 2025 reveals a pronounced emphasis on violent and disorderly offences, contrasting with lower rates of theft and vehicle crime. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34.7% of all reported crimes, significantly exceeding the UK average by 22% (3.7 per 1,000 vs 3.0 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 21.3% (2.3 per 1,000), also 48% above the UK average. This imbalance suggests a combination of factors tied to the area’s seasonal rhythms, including the peak of the tourism season and the absence of school holidays, which likely increases foot traffic and social interactions in public spaces. The relatively low incidence of vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000, 23% below UK average) and theft from the person (0.8% of total crimes, 33% below UK average) may reflect the area’s compact built-up character, where outdoor activity is more concentrated in specific zones. Burglary and shoplifting—both property crimes—rose sharply in July, potentially linked to the influx of visitors and the timing of local festivals, which could create opportunities for opportunistic theft. The overall crime rate of 10.7 per 1,000 residents places Dawlish 24.4% above the UK average, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas during peak summer months.

July 2025 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting and burglary surging by 600% and 180% respectively compared to June. Shoplifting, which accounted for 11% of all crimes (1.2 per 1,000), rose from two to 14 incidents—a 600% increase—likely driven by the summer tourist season and the proliferation of retail events in the area. Burglary also spiked from five to 14 cases, an 180% jump, possibly reflecting increased home occupancy during the school holidays and the presence of short-term visitors in residential properties. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 33.3% (from six to four incidents), potentially due to fewer cars on the road during the summer break. The dominance of violent and anti-social crimes—accounting for 56% of all reported incidents—also diverges sharply from the UK average, where such categories collectively represent 50% of crimes. This 6% gap may be attributed to Dawlish’s proximity to coastal tourist routes, where alcohol-related incidents and crowded public spaces create conditions conducive to violent offences. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting underscores the importance of increased vigilance in retail zones during peak summer months.

Dawlish’s July 2025 crime rate of 10.7 per 1,000 residents represents a 39.5% increase from June’s 7.7 per 1,000, marking a significant upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of four crimes per day, translating to roughly one reported crime for every 93 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while seemingly low, highlights the concentrated nature of crime in specific areas during July, when tourism and local festivals likely draw larger crowds to public spaces. Compared to the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000, Dawlish’s rate is 24.4% higher, a disparity that becomes more pronounced when examining individual crime categories. For instance, burglary in Dawlish is 344% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 48% above. These figures suggest that the built-up area’s unique characteristics—such as its coastal location and transient population during summer—may amplify certain types of crime. The population context further illustrates the scale: with 11,870 residents, the 127 total crimes in July equate to a 1.07% crime rate, meaning nearly one in every 93 residents experienced a reported crime. This metric provides a tangible benchmark for residents assessing their personal risk and for local authorities prioritising resource allocation.