Barnstaple Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Barnstaple's crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 51.4% of all reported crimes. With a crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents, the area sits 4.4% above the UK average of 6.8. This stark concentration of violent crime contrasts with lower rates of property-related offences, which constitute just 25.5% of the total. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the elevated levels of violence, as indoor spaces and late-night venues may amplify confrontations. Anti-social behaviour (9.6%) and criminal damage (8.2%) follow closely, reflecting patterns often seen in built-up areas with mixed residential and commercial zones. The rate of violence in Barnstaple is 44% higher than the UK average, a disparity that may be influenced by local factors such as the town's role as a regional hub for services and its proximity to coastal routes that could see transient populations. While property crime remains relatively low, the dominance of violent offences underscores the need for targeted community engagement and policing strategies in high-risk areas. The data also suggests that the area's crime profile is shaped by its character as a mid-sized town with a blend of historic infrastructure and modern amenities, where social interactions and public spaces play a pivotal role in shaping criminal activity.

Violent crime in Barnstaple saw a 21.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.0 to 7.1 per 1,000, though this remains 44% above the UK average. The most significant upward trend was in 'other crime,' which surged by 133.3% (3 to 7 incidents), highlighting an emerging category that warrants closer scrutiny. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 17.6% (17 to 20 incidents), suggesting a potential shift in local dynamics. Conversely, burglary plummeted by 80% (5 to 1 incident), likely reflecting the seasonal context of January, when reduced retail activity and shorter days may lower opportunities for such crimes. The town's performance in drug-related offences was better than the UK average, with a 64% deficit, a trend that may be linked to effective local interventions or demographic factors. Meanwhile, vehicle crime and theft from the person both fell sharply below UK averages, due to Barnstaple's lower density of car parks and tourist footfall compared to larger urban centres. Residents may find the 7.1 per 1,000 crime rate, while above the national average, to be a useful benchmark for understanding local safety in comparison to other UK towns.

Barnstaple's January 2026 crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents represents a 21.2% decline from the previous month's rate of 9.0, marking a significant downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 7 crimes per day in January, a figure that, while modest, reflects the persistent nature of local criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 142 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the town's population of 29,465, illustrates the relative frequency of crime in a built-up area. This monthly aggregate highlights the need for continuous monitoring, as even a small number of incidents can have a disproportionate impact on community perception of safety. Compared to the previous month, the drop in violent crime may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as the reduced presence of transient populations and the closure of late-night venues during January. However, the rise in 'other crime' and anti-social behaviour suggests that underlying social tensions or unmet community needs may be contributing to these trends. The town's performance in certain categories—such as burglary and drug-related offences—demonstrates marked improvements over the UK average, a contrast that underscores the importance of tailored local strategies in addressing crime.