Braunton Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

March 2023 marked a continuation of Braunton’s historically low crime profile, with a total of 15 reported crimes across the built-up area. The overall crime rate of 1.8 per 1,000 residents placed the area 76.3% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, a gap that has persisted for several years. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 33.3% of the total, followed by anti-social behaviour at 26.7% and criminal damage and arson at 20.0%. These figures suggest that local characteristics—such as the area’s rural setting and limited urban infrastructure—play a role in shaping the crime profile. The transition to spring in March, with longer evenings and the clocks moving forward, may have influenced patterns of activity, though the low overall rate indicates that seasonal factors have not led to a significant uptick in crime. The dominance of property-related crimes (13.3% for drugs and 6.7% for other theft) over violent offences is also notable, reflecting the area’s limited commercial and social density compared to larger urban centres. This profile aligns with Braunton’s identity as a coastal town with a strong emphasis on residential living, where community cohesion and natural barriers may contribute to the sustained low crime levels.

The most dramatic shift in March 2023 was the dominance of violence and sexual offences, which made up 33.3% of all reported crimes. This category was 78% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the national trend where such offences typically account for a larger share of crime statistics. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 26.7% of total crimes and remaining 52% below the UK average. This suggests that local factors—such as the area’s rural nature and limited nightlife—may partly explain the lower prevalence of more common urban crime types. Drugs-related offences, while accounting for only 13.3% of crimes in Braunton, matched the UK average exactly at 0.2 per 1,000. This parity could indicate that drug-related activity is neither overrepresented nor underrepresented in this area compared to the rest of the country. A resident might find the low rate of violent crime particularly reassuring, as it is significantly lower than the national average and represents a key safety indicator for the community.

Braunton's crime rate in March 2023 stood at 1.8 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This represents a 76.3% reduction compared to national figures, a gap that has remained consistent over recent months. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly zero crimes per day, reflecting the low overall incidence. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 551 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively safe environment in Braunton. When contextualised against the population of 8,265, this means that the likelihood of an individual being directly affected by crime is minimal. The low crime rate is further reinforced by the fact that categories such as violence and sexual offences, which typically dominate urban crime statistics, are 78% below the UK average in Braunton. This suggests a combination of geographic factors—such as the area’s rural character and limited population density—and possibly effective local policing strategies that contribute to maintaining this low crime profile.