Brixham Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.5% of all crimes in Brixham during December 2023, yet this category remained 31% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The built-up coastal area recorded a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents, a figure 38.9% lower than the national average of 7.2 per 1,000. This discrepancy may partly reflect the area’s relatively compact nature and limited nightlife compared to larger urban centres. The top three crime types—violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage and arson—collectively accounted for 75.7% of reported incidents, with anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and criminal damage (16.5%) mirroring patterns seen in other coastal communities. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the crime profile: Christmas shopping activity may have influenced retail-related theft, while extended evenings and holiday-related absences could have impacted property crime rates. The lower-than-average rate of violent crime contrasts with the 25% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average, a category where Brixham’s 0.7 per 1,000 rate exceeded the national 0.6 per 1,000 figure. These patterns suggest a mix of localised factors, including the area’s proximity to natural landscapes and seasonal fluctuations in population density.

December 2023 saw significant month-on-month increases in three categories: public order offences surged by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents), burglary rose by 100% (from 0 to 3), and 'other crime' also doubled (from 0 to 3). These shifts may reflect seasonal dynamics, such as the impact of Christmas-related gatherings on public order, or the temporary presence of transient populations during the festive period. While violent crime remained lower than the UK average, the 25% above-average rate of criminal damage and arson suggests vulnerabilities in property resilience, potentially linked to the area’s coastal infrastructure and weather-related risks. Anti-social behaviour, which contributed 17.7% of all crimes, was 14% below the UK average, indicating effective community policing or a lower concentration of high-risk demographics in Brixham compared to other areas. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences highlights the need for vigilance during holiday events, while the relatively low violent crime rate may offer reassurance for those concerned about personal safety.

Brixham’s crime rate in December 2023 increased by 64.8% compared to the previous month, rising from 2.6 per 1,000 to 4.4 per 1,000. This jump, though significant, remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in December, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 230 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the average for many similar-sized towns, reflecting either a combination of strong community engagement and effective local policing, or the area’s smaller population base. With a population of 18,163, Brixham’s crime statistics suggest a relatively safe environment. month-on-month increase indicates potential pressures on local law enforcement. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while individual risk remains low, the sudden rise in crime may warrant closer attention from residents and officials, particularly given the seasonal context of holiday-related activities and the absence of usual community routines during December.