Paignton Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Paignton's crime profile in January 2025, accounting for over 40% of all reported crimes and marking a 27% increase above the UK average. This category's prominence, at 3.2 per 1,000 residents, suggests a pressing local issue that may be linked to the town's character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and tourist areas. The overall crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents places Paignton 8.5% above the UK average, though the area's crime picture remains distinct from larger urban centres. Seasonal context plays a role in shaping these figures: January's post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall may contribute to patterns such as the 60% rise in shoplifting and the 300% increase in robbery. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, falls 8% below the UK average, reflecting the town's relatively low population density and the effectiveness of local community initiatives. Meanwhile, shoplifting (0.8 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.6 per 1,000) both exceed UK averages, consistent with the challenges of managing foot traffic in tourist hotspots. The data highlights a combination of seasonal rhythms and local demographics, with violence and sexual offences emerging as the most urgent priority for local authorities.

January 2025 saw a dramatic 300% increase in robbery cases, rising from one to four incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, suggests heightened vulnerability in specific locations or times. Shoplifting also surged by 60%, with 56 incidents reported compared to 35 in December. This aligns with seasonal patterns typical for January, when reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may create conditions conducive to opportunistic theft. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell by 20.3%, dropping from 74 to 59 incidents—a decrease that contrasts with the overall rise in crime. Violence and sexual offences in Paignton (3.2 per 1,000) are 27% above the UK average, underscoring a local challenge that extends beyond typical regional trends. The category's dominance—accounting for 41.1% of all crimes—suggests a need for targeted interventions in areas where such incidents are concentrated.

Paignton's crime rate in January 2025 rose to 7.7 per 1,000 residents, a 19.1% increase from December's 6.5 per 1,000. This marks the highest rate since at least the previous year, though the area still maintains a relatively low overall crime profile compared to larger urban centres. On a daily basis, Paignton experienced approximately 17 crimes per day in January, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 129 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while higher than the previous month, remains lower than the UK average when considering the population scale. The local context suggests that while the rise in violence and sexual offences is concerning, the overall crime picture remains distinct from national trends, with certain categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences performing below UK averages. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the increase, the likelihood of being directly affected by crime in Paignton remains lower than in many comparable areas.