Braunton Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Braunton's crime rate in January 2024 stood at 2.1 per 1,000 residents, a figure 71.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends underscores the area's relative safety, a pattern consistent with its rural character and smaller population. The breakdown of crimes revealed a marked dominance of violent offences, which accounted for 58.8% of all incidents—violence and sexual offences were the most common category, with 10 reported cases. This figure, though higher than December's count, remains significantly lower than the UK average for the category (2.6 per 1,000). Property crimes, including burglary and other theft, accounted for 41.2% of total incidents, with burglary and other theft each contributing 11.8%. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely contributes to the lower volume of shoplifting and theft from the person, which are typically higher during festive periods. Braunton's built-up area within North Devon, a largely rural region, may further moderate crime rates due to lower population density and fewer commercial hubs compared to urban centres. The low crime rate, combined with the seasonal factors, suggests that Braunton's environment and demographics create conditions less conducive to certain types of crime, particularly those driven by high foot traffic or economic activity. However, the sharp increase in violent crimes compared to previous months warrants attention, even as the overall rate remains far below national averages.

Violence and sexual offences saw a 100% increase in January 2024, rising from five to ten incidents—a stark shift from December's figures. This surge, while notable, remains significantly below the UK average for the category (2.6 per 1,000), which is 54% lower than Braunton's rate. Meanwhile, shoplifting doubled from zero to one incident, marking a new entry in the crime breakdown for the area. Other theft, however, decreased by 33.3%, reflecting an 11.8% share of total crimes. The balance between property and violent crimes shifted markedly, with violent crimes now comprising 58.8% of all reported incidents—a reversal from previous months. This mix contrasts with the UK average, where violent crimes account for 54% of the total, highlighting Braunton's unique profile. Residents might find the 100% increase in violence and sexual offences particularly concerning, though the overall rate remains exceptionally low on a national scale.

Braunton's crime rate in January 2024 remained stable at 2.1 per 1,000 residents, matching the same figure recorded in December 2023. This consistency suggests no immediate surge or decline in criminal activity over the past month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime every 31 days, translating to a localised figure of one crime per day in January. When scaled to the population of 8,265 residents, this equates to one reported crime for every 486 residents over the course of the month. Such a low frequency contrasts sharply with the UK average, where the equivalent monthly exposure would be significantly higher. The population-scaled perspective underscores Braunton's relative safety, particularly when compared to national trends where urban areas often see higher crime concentrations. These figures, while low, remain context-dependent—Braunton's rural character and smaller population naturally moderate crime exposure compared to densely populated regions.