Barnstaple Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Barnstaple's crime rate in May 2025 reached 12.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 54.3% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark divergence highlights a significant challenge for local authorities and residents alike. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (31.9% of total incidents), anti-social behaviour (18.5%), and shoplifting (16.4%), all of which far exceed national averages. Violence and sexual offences, at 4.0 per 1,000, are 41% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour, at 2.3 per 1,000, is 62% higher. Shoplifting, at 2.0 per 1,000, is an extraordinary 199% above the UK rate. These figures may be linked to Barnstaple's character as a coastal market town with a mix of tourism, retail, and residential areas. The seasonal context of May—marked by longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contributes to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Additionally, the retail presence in the town centre may drive shoplifting, while the proximity to popular tourist spots could explain the elevated rates of violence and sexual offences. However, these patterns must be interpreted cautiously, as they may also reflect broader socioeconomic factors or unaddressed community tensions.

May 2025 saw alarming spikes in specific crime categories, with theft from the person increasing by 300%—from one incident to four—raising immediate concerns for residents. Burglary also surged dramatically, rising by 266.7% as 11 incidents were recorded compared to just three in April. This sharp increase in residential break-ins may partly explain the heightened awareness among local communities. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose by 150%, with five incidents reported, a figure that is 150% above the UK average. These developments contrast with a decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell by 12.8% to 68 incidents. The breakdown of crime types reveals that violence and sexual offences account for 31.9% of all incidents, significantly outpacing the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high foot traffic and during extended evening hours, as seasonal factors like longer evenings and bank holidays may contribute to increased socialising and associated risks.

Barnstaple's crime rate in May 2025 rose to 12.5 per 1,000 residents, marking a 22.4% increase from April's 10.2 per 1,000. This upward trend underscores a growing concern for residents, particularly as daily crime figures reveal an average of 12 reported incidents each day. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 80 residents, a statistic that highlights the frequency of incidents in a community of nearly 30,000. While this monthly exposure rate is a local measure, it contrasts starkly with the UK average, which remains significantly lower. The population context further emphasizes the impact: with 29,465 residents, the 367 total crimes recorded in May represent a notable burden on the area's safety. This increase may partly explain the heightened focus on crime prevention measures, though no specific initiatives are mentioned in the data. The comparison to the previous month's rate also reveals a shift in crime patterns, with property crimes and violent offences contributing to the rise.