Paignton Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Paignton’s crime rate in March 2023 stood at 5.7 per 1,000, a figure that was 25% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This marked disparity positions Paignton as an outlier in the national crime profile, particularly in categories such as shoplifting and vehicle crime, where local rates were significantly lower than the UK benchmarks. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.3% of all reported incidents. This proportion is higher than the UK average for the same category (2.7 per 1,000) and suggests a unique dynamic in Paignton’s built-up area. The second and third most prevalent categories were anti-social behaviour (18.4%) and criminal damage and arson (7.8%), both of which exhibited mixed performance relative to national averages. Anti-social behaviour was 6% above the UK rate, while criminal damage and arson were 33% below. These patterns may be influenced by Paignton’s coastal character, where seasonal transitions in March—such as the lengthening of evenings and the shift from winter to spring—could contribute to increased social activity and, consequently, anti-social incidents. However, the lower rates of property-related crimes, such as shoplifting and vehicle crime, suggest that local measures—whether through community engagement or targeted policing—may be effective in deterring these types of offences. The overall crime profile in March 2023 appears to be shaped by a combination of geographic factors, including Paignton’s proximity to Torbay’s tourist attractions, and the seasonal rhythm of the area, which may influence both the frequency and nature of reported crimes.

The crime mix in March 2023 showed a pronounced emphasis on violent crimes, which constituted 41.3% of all incidents, compared to 25.8% for property crimes. This shift towards violent crime is consistent with Paignton’s position as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where interpersonal conflicts may be more prevalent during the early spring season. Violence and sexual offences in Paignton (2.4 per 1,000) were 12% below the UK average, a contrast to anti-social behaviour (1.1 per 1,000), which was 6% above the national rate. This divergence highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics, with public order and anti-social incidents potentially influenced by seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic or social gatherings. Shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) was 59% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect Paignton’s retail environment and local policing efforts. For residents, the low rate of theft from the person (0.0 per 1,000) provides a concrete assurance of relative safety in everyday situations.

Paignton's crime rate in March 2023 (5.7 per 1,000) sits 25% below the UK average, reflecting a safer environment compared to the national profile. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 12 incidents per day over the month, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 175 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure metric provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of encountering crime is comparatively low in Paignton. The population context further underscores this: with 67,912 residents, the 387 total crimes reported represent a manageable proportion of the community. This suggests that Paignton’s built-up area within Torbay maintains a crime profile that is distinct from the UK average, particularly in categories such as shoplifting and vehicle crime, where local rates are significantly lower than national benchmarks. whether this reflects systemic factors, such as local policing strategies or community engagement, but the consistency of these trends across multiple categories is noteworthy.