Crime in Plymouth: statistics, rates and trends

29,665 crimes were recorded in Plymouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 13,228 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Plymouth has the 275th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Plymouth was highest in the year to July 2018 (30,710 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (25,329). Over the whole period it fell 3%, 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 Plymouth 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. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in robbery (+32%) and possession of weapons (+13%). The largest falls were in drugs (-32%) and anti-social behaviour (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Plymouth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Plymouth recorded 13,228 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (48.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Plymouth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Plymouth recorded 4,082 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 13.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Plymouth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Plymouth recorded 2,511 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Plymouth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Plymouth recorded 2,144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Plymouth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Plymouth recorded 2,024 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Plymouth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Plymouth recorded 1,889 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Plymouth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Plymouth recorded 861 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Plymouth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Plymouth recorded 767 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Plymouth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Plymouth recorded 598 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Plymouth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Plymouth recorded 580 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Plymouth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Plymouth recorded 471 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Plymouth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Plymouth recorded 216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Plymouth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Plymouth recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Plymouth

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Plymouth recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

21 areas within Plymouth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Peter and the Waterfront had the highest rate (388.4 per 1,000) and Woolwell the lowest (23.1). 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 Plymouth over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Plymouth 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.

Plymouth has an estimated population of 273,502. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Plymouth 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 Plymouth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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