Teignmouth Crime Rate

Teignmouth is a popular coastal town in South Devon with a safety score of 80/100, placing it above the UK average. The town's overall crime rate is 81.8 per 1,000 residents, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.7. While the crime trend has shown a 7.7% increase over the past year, Teignmouth remains a statistically safe and attractive place for its 14,983 inhabitants. As a major tourist destination, the town experiences seasonal fluctuations in activity, but its property crime rates remain well below national figures. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, trends, and safety advice for the Teignmouth area.

Crime Breakdown in Teignmouth

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime reports in Teignmouth, totalling 523 incidents or 34.9 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.2 per 1,000 and criminal damage and arson at 6.9 per 1,000. These figures are typical for a coastal town with a significant tourism sector.

Property crime in Teignmouth, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 22.3 per 1,000 people. This is well below the UK average of 32.3, indicating that the town is a safe place for residents. Within this category, 'other theft' and shoplifting are the most frequent. Residential burglary is relatively low at 2.1 per 1,000 people, and vehicle crime is even lower at 1.1 per 1,000. For homeowners, the main concerns are opportunistic theft and criminal damage, suggesting that maintaining visible security and well-defined property boundaries is effective in this coastal environment.

Crime Trends in Teignmouth

Teignmouth's crime trend is currently increasing, with a 7.7% rise in total offences over the last 12 months. While the town remains safer than the UK average, this upward movement suggests a need for continued vigilance among residents and business owners.

Monthly trendData from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows a distinct seasonal pattern typical of a coastal resort. The year began with relatively low rates in December (4.8) and January (5.1), before rising sharply in the spring. A sustained peak occurred throughout the summer, with rates reaching 7.6 in both July and August. After a dip to 5.9 in September, the rate climbed again to end the period at a high of 8.1 in November. This pattern indicates that while summer tourism drives higher incident rates, the town also experiences significant activity during the late autumn months. For residents, this highlights the importance of maintaining property security year-round.

How To Keep Safe in Teignmouth

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Teignmouth, often peaking during the busy summer months and in the town centre's evening economy. To stay safe, it is advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas or near the seafront during the height of the tourist season.

When walking through the town at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated shortcuts or unlit beach areas. If you are enjoying the town's nightlife, planning your journey home and staying with friends can enhance your personal safety.

In residential areas, be aware of anti-social behaviour, which is the second most common issue. Ensuring your property's boundaries are well-defined and using motion-activated lighting can deter loitering and opportunistic crime. For those living near the town centre, keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle and ensure that your home's entry points are always secure. Joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme can also help you stay informed about any specific local safety concerns.

Crime Patterns in Teignmouth

Crime in Teignmouth follows a clear temporal pattern throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the most active period for theft-related offences, accounting for 55% of crimes during these hours, largely driven by shoplifting and opportunistic theft in the town centre. As the day moves into the evening (6pm-12am), the focus shifts to 'other' offences, including anti-social behaviour and public order, which make up 56% of reports.

The night-time hours (12am-6am) see the lowest overall volume of crime but a higher relative risk for property offences. During this period, burglary reaches its peak relative frequency at 21% of incidents, and vehicle crime also rises to 18%. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a resurgence in theft (53%) as the town's retail sector opens. For residents, this data suggests that securing vehicles and properties overnight is essential, while maintaining personal awareness in commercial areas is most important during the busy afternoon hours.

In the local context, Teignmouth's crime rate of 81.8 is slightly lower than that of its coastal neighbour Dawlish (86.8). However, it is significantly higher than smaller, more residential neighbours like Bishopsteignton (18.3), Shaldon (35.1), and Holcombe (22.7). These differences are largely due to Teignmouth's status as a commercial and tourist hub, which naturally attracts higher levels of footfall and incident reporting. Despite these local variations, Teignmouth offers a safe coastal environment that is more secure than many similar-sized towns across the UK.

For homeowners in Teignmouth, property security is most effective when it focuses on prevention. While the property crime rate is a relatively low 22.3 per 1,000, the seasonal influx of visitors can lead to opportunistic incidents. Traditional CCTV cameras often only provide footage after a crime has been committed, which does little to protect your home in real-time.

scOS offers a modern solution with AI-powered proactive protection. It monitors your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence to detect potential threats before they reach your home. The system learns to recognise your family and regular visitors, ensuring you only receive alerts for genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously respond by activating lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise. This professional-grade deterrence is particularly valuable in a town like Teignmouth, ensuring your home remains a difficult target and encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on.