Barnstaple Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Barnstaple's crime rate in April 2025 stood at 10.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 32.5% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This marks a significant divergence from national trends, with local crime patterns shaped by the area’s character as a built-up town within North Devon. Violence and sexual offences (32.3% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (26.0%) dominated the monthly tally, reflecting the pressures of a densely populated urban environment. Shoplifting (14.3%) and criminal damage (10.3%) also featured prominently, aligning with the retail and leisure activity typical of such areas. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as Easter and springtime activity may have increased foot traffic in public spaces. While the overall rate remains elevated compared to the UK, some categories, such as public order offences (26% below UK average) and drugs-related crimes (26% below), suggest pockets of relative safety. The contrast between high anti-social behaviour and lower vehicle crime (74% below UK average) highlights the combination of local demographics and infrastructure, with residential density potentially contributing to higher interpersonal conflicts. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where violence and anti-social behaviour are concentrated, while also noting the resilience in sectors like vehicle crime, which may benefit from existing security measures or community policing efforts.

April 2025 saw notable fluctuations in Barnstaple’s crime profile, with some categories showing sharp declines and others rising sharply. Theft from the person fell by 75% (from 4 to 1), and bicycle theft dropped by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), possibly reflecting increased public awareness or improved security measures. Conversely, other crime surged by 200% (from 2 to 6), and possession of weapons doubled (from 1 to 2), raising concerns about emerging trends. Shoplifting also increased by 19.4% (from 36 to 43), consistent with the Easter shopping period and heightened retail activity. Anti-social behaviour remained high, 103% above the UK average, while public order offences fell 60.6% (from 33 to 13), a drop that may be linked to seasonal changes in community engagement or temporary event cancellations. The contrast between these movements illustrates the dynamic nature of local crime, with some areas of improvement coexisting with troubling spikes. For residents, the significant reduction in bicycle theft offers a tangible example of how targeted efforts—such as increased patrols or community outreach—can yield measurable results, even amid broader challenges.

Barnstaple’s crime rate in April 2025 (10.2 per 1,000) marked a 12.3% decline from the previous month’s rate of 11.6 per 1,000, indicating a modest but notable improvement in overall safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 10 crimes per day, a figure that provides a concrete sense of the scale of activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 98 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Barnstaple’s population in a unique context compared to the UK average. While this rate remains significantly higher than the national benchmark, the decrease from the prior month suggests progress in addressing local crime drivers. The comparison to the UK average also highlights regional disparities: Barnstaple’s violent crime rate (3.3 per 1,000) is 26% above the UK’s 2.6 per 1,000, but its public order offences (0.4 per 1,000) are 26% below the UK’s 0.5 per 1,000. This duality underscores the need for tailored strategies that address the specific challenges of Barnstaple’s built-up environment while leveraging areas where the town performs relatively well. The monthly exposure figure, though seemingly high, is contextualized by the town’s population size and the density of its urban fabric, which may amplify the visibility of crime compared to more sparsely populated regions.