Brixham Crime Rate

Brixham is one of the safer towns in the Torbay area, with an overall crime rate of 64.0 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, a fact reflected in its impressive safety score of 84/100. While the town remains a secure place to live and visit, recent data indicates an 8.3% year-over-year increase in criminal activity. As a historic fishing port with a strong community spirit, Brixham's crime profile is largely dominated by lower-level offences, though the rising trend suggests a need for continued community vigilance. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the types of crime occurring in the area, when they are most likely to happen, and how residents can best protect themselves.

Brixham maintains a relatively low crime profile, with violence and sexual offences being the most common category, representing 47.7% of all incidents (555 cases). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent issue, with 177 reported cases (15.2%), followed by criminal damage and arson with 126 cases (10.8%).

Property crime in Brixham—which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—is notably lower than in many other parts of Torbay. The combined property crime rate is 16.3 per 1,000 people. Within this category, 'other theft' (65 cases) and shoplifting (42 cases) are the main contributors. Burglary is relatively rare, with only 29 incidents recorded over the year, accounting for just 2.5% of total crime. Vehicle crime is also low, with 20 reported cases. While these figures are encouraging, the presence of criminal damage and theft suggests that residents should not be complacent. For homeowners, maintaining standard security measures is usually effective, but the recent increase in overall crime indicates that staying informed about local trends is increasingly important.

Brixham is currently seeing an upward trend in crime, with a year-over-year increase of 8.3%. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents started the year at 4.7 in January and peaked at 7.3 in July. This mid-summer spike is a common trend in coastal towns, often linked to the increased number of visitors during the school holidays.

Following the July peak, the rate fluctuated slightly but remained higher than the early-year figures, before dropping back down to 4.2 by December. Other notable months include May (6.4) and August (6.6). While the overall crime rate of 64.0 is still low compared to national averages, the 8.3% increase suggests that residents should be more aware of their surroundings than in previous years. The rise in total incidents throughout the year indicates that the town is experiencing more frequent reports of criminal activity, even if the severity of those crimes remains generally low.

How To Keep Safe in Brixham

The most frequent crime type in Brixham is violence and sexual offences, which makes up nearly 48% of all recorded incidents. While Brixham is generally very safe, staying aware of your surroundings, particularly in the harbour and town centre areas during busy periods, is always advisable.

To maintain your personal safety, try to stay in well-lit areas if walking alone at night and be mindful of the town's rising crime trend. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue; reporting such incidents to local authorities helps maintain the town's high safety standards.

For property owners, even though burglary is rare (1.6 per 1,000), it is wise to ensure that your home is not an easy target. Basic measures like installing motion-sensor lighting and ensuring all window locks are functional can be very effective. Given that theft and criminal damage are more common than burglary, keep garden equipment and bicycles secured in a locked shed or garage. For business owners, being part of a local retail watch scheme can help manage the risk of shoplifting, which accounts for 3.6% of local crime.

Brixham's crime timing shows a clear correlation with the town's daily activities. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is the most prominent crime, accounting for 44% and 48% of offences respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are most likely to occur when the town's shops and harbour are most active.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and public order issues—rise to 64% of recorded activity. This is typical for the evening period when social venues are busier. Interestingly, the night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of crime, with burglary and vehicle crime both rising to 17% of the total for that window. While the overall volume of crime at night is low, the proportional risk to property and vehicles is at its highest during these hours. Residents are encouraged to ensure that their homes and vehicles are fully secured before retiring for the night.

Brixham compares very favourably to its larger neighbours in the Torbay local authority. Its crime rate of 64.0 is much lower than Paignton (91.1) and less than half the rate of Torquay (143.2). It is also slightly more secure than Dartmouth, which has a rate of 70.5. However, it is less tranquil than the tiny nearby villages of Dittisham and Kingswear, both of which reported a 0.0 crime rate in the recent period. This positioning makes Brixham an attractive option for those who want the amenities of a town but with a significantly lower risk profile than the more densely populated urban areas nearby. It strikes a balance between coastal activity and a secure residential environment.

In a town like Brixham, where the property crime rate is a relatively low 16.3 per 1,000 people, residents might feel that basic security is sufficient. However, the 8.3% increase in overall crime suggests that a more robust approach could be beneficial. Traditional security systems are often reactive, providing footage of a theft or burglary only after it has occurred. This does little to prevent the emotional and financial impact of the crime itself.

Switching to a proactive AI-powered system like scOS changes the dynamic entirely. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your home's perimeter, identifying threats before they reach your door. With features like autonomous light activation and audible warnings, scOS can deter a potential intruder in those first critical 60 seconds when they are deciding whether to target a property. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS provides a level of security that aligns with Brixham's high safety score, ensuring the town remains a difficult target for opportunistic criminals. Professional-grade protection is about stopping the crime from happening, not just watching it on your phone later.