Braunton Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Braunton’s crime profile in May 2025 reveals a distinct balance between property and violent crimes, with the latter slightly dominating. The overall crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 50.6% below the UK average of 8.1, a gap that underscores the town’s unique characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.3% of all crimes (11 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (24.2%) and criminal damage and arson (15.2%). This mix suggests a focus on interpersonal and environmental issues rather than economic crimes, a pattern consistent with Braunton’s status as a coastal community with a mix of residential, tourist, and retail areas. Seasonal factors in May—such as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity—likely contribute to the rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which may be linked to the area’s proximity to popular coastal walks and beaches. The relatively low rate of property crimes (10 incidents) compared to the UK average highlights the effectiveness of local security measures or the lower density of high-risk environments like commercial centres. However, the dominance of violent crimes over property crimes may reflect broader social dynamics, such as the impact of seasonal tourism on local interactions or the influence of transient populations in the area. This balance invites further analysis of how Braunton’s geography and demographics shape its crime profile, particularly in contrast to more densely populated regions.

May 2025 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour surging by 166.7% (from 3 to 8 incidents) and criminal damage and arson increasing by 150% (from 2 to 5). These rises may be linked to the seasonal context of May, which includes longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising in Braunton’s coastal setting. Conversely, other theft and burglary both fell by 50%, reflecting a possible reduction in opportunistic crimes during the month. The balance between property and violent crimes also shifted, with violent crimes (11 incidents) slightly outpacing property crimes (10 incidents), though both categories remain well below UK averages. For instance, violence and sexual offences in Braunton were 54% below the UK average (1.3 vs 2.8 per 1,000), a discrepancy that may be influenced by the area’s smaller population and lower levels of urban density. Residents should note the sharp increase in anti-social behaviour, which could indicate a need for heightened community engagement or policing in public spaces.

Braunton’s crime rate in May 2025 (4.0 per 1,000 residents) reflects a 37.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 2.9 per 1,000. This rise, though modest in absolute terms, is notable against the backdrop of a consistently low overall rate. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day over the 31-day period, a figure that aligns with the town’s small population and rural character. When scaled to monthly exposure, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 250 residents over the course of the month. This ratio underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in a community where population density is lower than in major urban centres. The comparison to the UK average further highlights Braunton’s distinct profile: while the UK overall experiences 8.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, Braunton’s rate remains nearly half that level. This contrast may reflect the area’s coastal geography, seasonal rhythms, and the influence of local tourism patterns on crime dynamics.