Paignton Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2026, Paignton’s crime profile reveals a marked dominance of violent over property crime, with 194 violent incidents accounting for nearly half (48.6%) of all reported crimes, compared to 123 property-related offences. This imbalance, while 7.8% below the UK average overall (5.9 vs 6.4 per 1,000), highlights a local dynamic where interpersonal crime outweighs theft and burglary. The most prevalent category, violence and sexual offences (2.9 per 1,000), is 25% higher than the UK average, suggesting a possible concentration of risk factors in social or community spaces. This contrasts with categories like anti-social behaviour (34% below UK average) and shoplifting (31% below), which may reflect the area’s coastal character and seasonal rhythms. February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull likely reduced opportunities for crimes like vehicle theft or public order incidents, yet the persistence of high violent crime rates could indicate challenges in managing conflict in residential or nightlife zones. The town’s position as a tourist destination and commuter hub may also influence patterns, with transient populations contributing to certain crime types. However, the absence of significant spikes in property crime—despite a 33% above UK average for other theft—suggests a combination of local policing, community engagement, and environmental factors.

February 2026 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with violent crime maintaining its dominance while property crime remained subdued. Robbery rates surged by 100%, jumping from zero to four incidents, a sharp anomaly that may reflect heightened vulnerability in specific locations or transient populations. This increase, coupled with a 75% rise in possession of weapons (from four to seven), raises questions about local tensions or enforcement challenges. Conversely, drugs-related crime fell by 33.3% (15 to 10), and other crime dropped by 26.7% (15 to 11), indicating potential successes in targeted interventions or seasonal factors. Violent crime itself decreased by 9.8% (215 to 194), though it still remains 25% above the UK average, suggesting persistent pressures in this category. The property crime profile showed mixed signals: while shoplifting fell 31% below the UK average (0.4 vs 0.6 per 1,000), vehicle crime rose 57.1% (7 to 11), possibly linked to increased traffic or parking patterns during the month. These shifts underscore the need for nuanced strategies to address both violent and property-related risks, particularly in areas where crime hotspots may overlap with tourism, retail, or residential hubs.

Paignton’s crime rate remained stable in February 2026, matching the previous month’s rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents. This consistency, despite fluctuations in individual categories, suggests a relatively steady baseline for local policing and community dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 14 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the density of population and activity in a built-up coastal town. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 170 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average for most categories but not uniformly so. For instance, the 25% above-average rate of violence and sexual offences indicates that certain segments of the population—possibly linked to social hubs or transient groups—face higher risks. Meanwhile, the 34% below-average rate of anti-social behaviour may signal effective community engagement or environmental design that mitigates disorder. These comparisons highlight the importance of localized approaches, as Paignton’s crime profile, while generally safer than the UK average, requires targeted attention to address specific imbalances in violent crime and ensure that successes in reducing anti-social behaviour are sustained.