Shaldon Crime Rate

Shaldon is a highly safe seaside village, with an overall crime rate of 34.3 per 1,000 residents for the period of January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6, reflecting the village's peaceful and secure character. Shaldon achieves an excellent safety score of 91/100, which is well above the national average of 79. However, it is important to note that crime has increased by 35.5% over the past year. While the absolute number of crimes remains low, this upward trend suggests that residents should be more vigilant. Property crime rates also remain well below national averages, ensuring that Shaldon remains one of the more secure locations in Devon.

Shaldon experiences a relatively low volume of crime, with violence and sexual offences being the most frequent type at 42.9% of the total (14.7 per 1,000 residents). Other significant reports include 'other theft' at 11.9% and criminal damage and arson at 9.5%.

The property crime rate in Shaldon is 13.9 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average of 32.2. This includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. Both burglary and vehicle crime account for 7.1% of total incidents, while shoplifting and theft from the person represent 2.4% each. For residents and second-home owners in Shaldon, these figures suggest that while the village is very safe, there is a consistent presence of property-related offences. The relatively equal distribution between burglary, vehicle crime, and theft indicates that a broad approach to home and vehicle security is the most effective strategy for maintaining safety.

Shaldon is currently seeing an upward trend in criminal activity, with a 35.5% increase in crime year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with peaks occurring in March and June at 5.7 per 1,000 residents. Other months with higher activity included September (4.1) and July, August, and October, all at 3.3.

The lowest crime rates were recorded in May and December at 0.8 per 1,000. The peaks in spring and early summer suggest a seasonal element, perhaps linked to increased visitor numbers. Despite these monthly variations, the overall annual increase is a sign that residents should be more proactive about security. While the overall rate is still much lower than the national average, the 35.5% rise indicates that Shaldon is becoming busier from a policing perspective.

How To Keep Safe in Shaldon

The most common crime in Shaldon is violence and sexual offences. While the overall rate is low, it is always wise to practice good personal safety habits. When walking through the village or along the waterfront at night, try to stay in well-lit areas and remain aware of your surroundings.

'Other theft' is the second most common issue, so be sure to secure personal belongings when in public spaces or in your garden. For vehicle owners, the data shows a significant spike in vehicle crime overnight; always ensure your car is locked and no valuables are left inside. Criminal damage and arson are also present in the data, so keeping your property well-maintained and ensuring gates are secure can discourage opportunists. Given the 35.5% increase in crime, being part of a local community watch or simply staying in touch with neighbours about suspicious activity can significantly improve collective safety. Finally, ensure all windows and doors are securely locked when you are away from home, even for short periods.

Temporal patterns in Shaldon show a distinct shift in crime types throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, making up 54% and 58% of all incidents respectively. This suggests that daytime activity is mostly opportunistic, likely occurring while people are out of their homes or enjoying the village's amenities.

As the evening and night arrive, the risk profile changes significantly. In the evening, burglary and vehicle crime begin to rise, with 'other' crimes (including anti-social behaviour) making up 34%. The most notable shift occurs between 12am and 6am, where vehicle crime surges to 39% of all recorded incidents and burglary reaches its peak at 25%. This indicates that while the village is relatively safe during the day, vehicles and properties are at their most vulnerable during the early hours of the morning. Residents should focus their security efforts on overnight protection to mitigate these specific night-time risks.

When compared to other areas in the Teignbridge district, Shaldon is a very safe choice. It is considerably more secure than the neighbouring town of Teignmouth, which has a much higher crime rate of 83.0 per 1,000. It also compares favourably to Stokeinteignhead (27.0). However, it has a slightly higher crime rate than Bishopsteignton (19.1) and Holcombe (23.2). This positioning suggests that while Shaldon is very safe by national standards, its popularity as a visitor destination may contribute to a slightly higher volume of reported incidents than some of the more exclusively residential nearby villages.

With a property crime rate of 13.9 per 1,000, Shaldon residents should be aware that theft, burglary, and vehicle crime are the primary threats to their belongings. Traditional security measures, such as standard CCTV or DIY alarms, are reactive—they only provide evidence or an alert after a crime has already been committed.

The scOS proactive security system offers a much more effective solution by using AI to monitor your property's perimeter. Instead of just recording a burglary, scOS is designed to prevent it from happening. By identifying potential threats as they approach and triggering autonomous responses like lights or sound alerts, it deters criminals in real-time. In Shaldon, where vehicle crime spikes to 39% and burglary to 25% during the night, having a system that actively guards your home and driveway while you sleep is a powerful way to ensure your property remains secure, especially given the recent 35.5% increase in local crime.