Crime in Paignton: statistics, rates and trends

6,322 crimes were recorded in Paignton in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,731 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Paignton has the 430th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Paignton was highest in the year to July 2026 (6,322 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (5,174). Over the whole period it rose 6%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Paignton over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in burglary (+24%) and shoplifting (+21%). The largest falls were in drugs (-32%) and robbery (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in Paignton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Paignton recorded 2,731 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 43.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Paignton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Paignton recorded 852 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 13.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Paignton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Paignton recorded 669 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Paignton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Paignton recorded 503 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Paignton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Paignton recorded 438 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Paignton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Paignton recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Paignton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Paignton recorded 195 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Paignton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Paignton recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Paignton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Paignton recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Paignton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Paignton recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Paignton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Paignton recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Paignton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Paignton recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Paignton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Paignton recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Paignton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Paignton recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Paignton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Paignton.

9 areas within Paignton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Roundham with Hyde had the highest rate (211.6 per 1,000) and Churston with Galmpton the lowest (38.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Paignton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Paignton over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Paignton has an estimated population of 67,302. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Paignton sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Paignton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.