Paignton Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Paignton, 5.9 crimes were recorded in June 2023 — 30.6% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This rate translates to roughly one crime for every 171 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises risk in everyday terms. The most common crimes were anti-social behaviour (36.2% of total), violence and sexual offences (32.9%), and criminal damage and arson (8.5%). These patterns align with Paignton’s character as a coastal resort town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where anti-social behaviour may partly reflect increased foot traffic during the start of the summer season. Violent crime rates, while still significant, were 35% below the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies may contribute to this gap. Seasonal factors appear influential: as June marks the beginning of the tourist season, the longer daylight hours and influx of visitors may drive both anti-social behaviour and property crimes. However, the relatively low rates of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) compared to UK averages suggest that Paignton’s urban layout or local enforcement efforts may mitigate certain risks. This snapshot reveals a crime profile shaped by tourism dynamics, with opportunities for improvement in addressing anti-social behaviour without compromising the area’s appeal as a holiday destination.

June 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with vehicle crime surging by 250% (from 6 to 21 incidents) — a sharp increase that may reflect summer-related activity such as car thefts linked to increased tourism or unsecured vehicles in coastal areas. Shoplifting also rose by 200%, jumping from 2 to 6 incidents, potentially tied to retail outlets becoming more active as the tourist season began. Burglary increased by 180%, rising from 5 to 14 cases, though this remains well below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 55.6% (from 9 to 4 cases), and 'other crime' dropped by 50% (from 8 to 4), suggesting a possible reduction in minor incidents during the summer months. Anti-social behaviour in Paignton (2.1 per 1,000) was 42% higher than the UK average of 1.5 per 1,000, indicating a specific challenge in managing public order as the town transitions into its peak tourist period. This data offers a concrete insight for residents: while overall crime remains below national levels, targeted interventions may be needed to address the 36% of crimes classified as anti-social behaviour, which could include measures such as increased community engagement or enforcement in high-traffic areas.

Paignton’s crime rate in June 2023 (5.9 per 1,000) represented a 21.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.8 per 1,000, a shift that may reflect seasonal changes as tourism begins to ramp up. On a daily basis, Paignton experienced approximately 13 crimes per day in June, a figure that provides a tangible sense of frequency for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 171 residents — a monthly exposure rate that, while low compared to the UK average, highlights the need to maintain vigilance during periods of increased visitor numbers. The population context further illustrates this: with 67,912 residents, Paignton’s crime profile remains characterised by a relatively low incidence of violent crime (1.9 per 1,000) and property crime (2.6 per 1,000), both well below UK averages. However, the surge in vehicle crime and shoplifting underscores the dual nature of Paignton’s challenge — a town that balances low baseline crime rates with seasonal spikes in specific categories. This comparison to previous months and the UK average reveals that while Paignton is generally safer than the national average, the town must navigate the complexities of managing crime during the summer months when its appeal to tourists intensifies.