Barnstaple Crime Rate

Barnstaple Crime Overview

Barnstaple is the primary urban centre in North Devon, with a safety score of 71/100, which is below the UK average of 78. The town's overall crime rate is 131.5 per 1,000 residents per year, positioning it above the national average of 93.1. Most notably, the town is showing an increasing trend, with a significant 11.0% rise in crime year-over-year. This upward trajectory indicates that residents and businesses should be more mindful of their security. While urban challenges like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are present, the town's residential property crime rate remains relatively stable. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime statistics, timing, and safety recommendations for those living and working in Barnstaple.

Crime Breakdown in Barnstaple

In the Barnstaple urban area, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, accounting for 35.8% of all reports (47.0 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 18.1%, followed by shoplifting at 14.3% and criminal damage and arson at 8.6%.

The overall property crime rate in Barnstaple stands at 43.7 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage. Notably, shoplifting is a major factor in the town's commercial areas, making up over 14% of total crime. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, together making up less than 4% of total crime. However, the 8.6% rate for criminal damage indicates that vandalism and opportunistic property damage are more common than break-ins. For residents, this means that while the risk of a home intrusion is statistically low, protecting the exterior of the property and vehicles from opportunistic theft or damage remains important. Theft-related offences are most common during the day, while vehicle-related risks increase significantly overnight. Burglary also peaks at night, making up 19% of night-time reports.

Crime Trends in Barnstaple

The crime trend in Barnstaple is currently increasing, with an 11.0% rise in total offences over the last 12 months. This is a notable indicator for the town, showing a clear upward trajectory in criminal activity.

Monthly trendData indicates that the crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in August 2025 (12.7) and May 2025 (12.5). Other busy months included March (11.6) and November 2024 (11.4). The lowest crime rate was recorded in January 2025 (9.3). This suggests a slight increase in reports during the spring and summer months, which is a common seasonal pattern in tourism-focused areas. The overall upward trend suggests that residents and businesses should remain more mindful of their security than in previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Barnstaple

The highest crime category in Barnstaple is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.8% of all reports. While this is typical for a major urban centre, residents can take several steps to enhance their safety.

1. When in the town centre at night, stay in well-lit, populated areas and avoid poorly lit side streets or unlit footpaths.
2. Shoplifting and theft are prevalent in commercial areas (combined 19.6%); keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings in busy shopping districts.
3. Anti-social behaviour is also significant (18.1%); if you encounter aggressive behaviour, it is best to avoid confrontation and move to a crowded area or seek assistance from security or police.
4. For homeowners, the rate of criminal damage (8.6%) suggests that motion-activated lighting and secure fencing can be effective deterrents against opportunistic vandalism.
5. Use secure, well-lit parking for your vehicle, especially overnight, as vehicle crime risks increase significantly between 12am and 6am.

Crime Timing in Barnstaple

Crime in Barnstaple follows a distinct temporal rhythm. The morning and afternoon are the peak times for theft-related offences, including shoplifting, which account for 43% and 44% of reports respectively. This aligns with the town's commercial opening hours and higher pedestrian activity.

As the town moves into the night (12am - 6am), the volume of crime may decrease, but the risk profile shifts toward property and public order. Between these hours, burglary reaches its highest concentration at 19% of all reports, and vehicle crime accounts for 16%. Public order and other offences also dominate the evening and night-time mix. This data suggests that residents should be most vigilant about their homes and vehicles during the early morning hours, while maintaining awareness of personal belongings during the busy daytime shopping periods. Understanding these patterns can help in planning more effective security measures.

Nearby Area Comparison

As a regional town, Barnstaple naturally has a higher crime footprint than its surrounding suburban and rural settlements. Its rate of 131.5 per 1,000 is significantly higher than nearby Westacott (34.3) and Bickington (12.1). Smaller areas like Bishop's Tawton and Ashford report negligible crime. This disparity is common, as Barnstaple attracts a large transient population for work, shopping, and nightlife, which increases the volume of reported incidents. However, when compared to other towns of similar size, Barnstaple's property crime profile is relatively stable, although the current increasing trend is a point of concern for the local community.

Professional Security in Barnstaple

With a property crime rate of 43.7 per 1,000 residents, Barnstaple homeowners and businesses should consider the benefits of proactive security. In an urban environment, most people rely on traditional CCTV or doorbell cameras, which are reactive—they record a crime as it happens. While this provides evidence, it does not prevent the incident. In Barnstaple, where shoplifting and criminal damage account for a significant portion of property crime, stopping the perpetrator before they act is the goal.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record; it identifies genuine threats and distinguishes them from everyday activities. If a threat is detected—such as someone loitering near your property at night—scOS can autonomously engage deterrents like high-intensity lighting and audio warnings. This immediate response is designed to destroy the element of surprise that burglars and vandals rely on. For Barnstaple residents, scOS provides a layer of professional-grade security that actively prevents crime, ensuring your home or business is a less attractive target for opportunistic offenders.