Paignton Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2024, Paignton's crime profile was dominated by violent and anti-social incidents, with property crimes lagging behind. The total crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents placed the area 2.8% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect Paignton's coastal character and relatively stable social environment. Violent crimes, comprising 40.5% of all reported incidents, were the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.5%) and other theft (9.6%). This stark contrast between violent and property crime rates suggests a different dynamic at play compared to larger urban centres, where property crimes often dominate. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely contributed to the focus on interpersonal conflicts and anti-social behaviour, as reduced daylight and colder temperatures may drive indoor gatherings and related tensions. The UK average for violence and sexual offences stood at 2.5 per 1,000, meaning Paignton's rate of 2.8 per 1,000 was 12% higher, a figure that may indicate localised pressures such as alcohol-related incidents in the town's nightlife areas. Meanwhile, property crime rates remained lower than the UK average for categories like shoplifting (63% below) and burglary (33% below), reflecting the town's compact built-up area and limited commercial zones compared to more sprawling urban environments. This balance between violent and property crime highlights the need for targeted policing strategies that address interpersonal disputes while maintaining the low levels of property crime that Paignton has historically achieved.

February 2024 saw a 105.9% increase in public order offences, rising from 17 to 35 incidents. This sharp rise may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity and potential tensions in residential areas during colder months. Other theft also increased by 55.2%, from 29 to 45 cases, suggesting heightened opportunities for opportunistic crimes in the built-up area. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 43.5%, with incidents dropping from 23 to 13, potentially linked to fewer vehicles in public spaces during winter. Violent crimes in Paignton, at 190 incidents, were 12% above the UK average, indicating a localised concentration of violence and sexual offences that outpaces national trends. For residents, the 12% increase in anti-social behaviour—now at 1.2 per 1,000—highlights a growing concern that may warrant community-focused interventions.

Paignton's crime rate in February 2024 rose by 6.5% compared to January's 6.5 per 1,000, reaching 6.9 per 1,000. This increase, though modest, aligns with seasonal patterns typical of winter months, when reduced daylight and colder temperatures may contribute to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. On a daily basis, 16 crimes were reported in Paignton over the 29 days of February, equating to roughly one crime for every 145 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides context for residents, illustrating that while crime remains present, it is not high relative to the population. The local rate of 6.9 per 1,000 places Paignton 2.8% below the UK average, a small but consistent gap that may reflect the town's coastal character and relatively stable community structures compared to larger urban centres.