Braunton Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Braunton's crime profile in February 2024 reveals a distinct balance of crime types that aligns with the characteristics of a small, rural built-up area within North Devon. The overall crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents—67.6% below the UK average—suggests a community where criminal activity remains relatively rare compared to national trends. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences (8 incidents, 42.1% of total), followed by public order offences (3 incidents, 15.8%) and anti-social behaviour (2 incidents, 10.5%). This mix of violent and disorderly crimes may reflect the area's social dynamics, where limited population density and seasonal factors like the winter lull could influence interactions. Property crimes were comparatively low, with only 5 incidents (26.3% of total), a stark contrast to the UK average where property crimes typically dominate. The absence of significant property crime trends, coupled with the prominence of violent and public order offences, may indicate a community where interpersonal conflicts and local disputes are more frequently reported than theft or burglary. This pattern is consistent with areas where strong community ties and local policing contribute to lower property crime rates, even as other types of crime remain visible. The winter season, with its reduced outdoor activity and pre-spring lull, likely played a role in shaping these patterns, though the exact contribution of seasonal factors remains a subject of local analysis.

February saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with public order offences surging by 100% (from 0 to 3) and anti-social behaviour doubling (from 1 to 2). These increases contrast with declines in burglary and other theft, which fell by 50% each. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category (8 incidents), decreased by 20% compared to January, a drop that may reflect seasonal factors or local interventions. The area's violent crime rate of 1.0 per 1,000 is 60% below the UK average, while public order offences remain 18% below the national figure. Residents might find the 100% rise in public order incidents particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a potential shift in community dynamics or increased police visibility in public spaces.

Braunton's crime rate in February 2024 rose by 11.7% compared to January's 2.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 29-day month—a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents for residents. When scaled to the population, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 435 residents over the course of the month, a statistic that underscores the relatively sparse nature of criminal activity in this built-up area. While the UK average crime rate is significantly higher at 7.1 per 1,000, Braunton's monthly exposure remains exceptionally low, suggesting a community with strong local policing or social cohesion mechanisms. This contrast with national averages highlights the unique characteristics of Braunton, where the small population and rural proximity may contribute to a different crime dynamic compared to densely populated urban centres.