Braunton Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile for Braunton in February 2026 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 44.4% of all reported incidents. This contrasts with the UK average, where such crimes make up 57% of the total. Braunton's overall crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents is 65.6% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, highlighting a markedly lower prevalence of criminal activity in this built-up area within North Devon. The most common crime category, violence and sexual offences, occurs at 1.0 per 1,000 residents — 57% below the UK average for this category. This suggests a community where interpersonal conflicts may be less frequent, though the absolute numbers remain small given Braunton's population of 8,265. Property crimes, at 6 total incidents, account for 33.3% of all crimes reported, compared to 21.2% nationally. The seasonal context of February — a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull — may contribute to this pattern, as reduced foot traffic in public spaces could limit opportunities for theft and other crimes. The relatively low levels of anti-social behaviour (11.1% of total crimes) and shoplifting (11.1%) further reinforce the idea of a tightly knit community with strong local norms against disruptive conduct. These figures align with Braunton's character as a coastal town with limited commercial density, where crime prevention may be bolstered by community cohesion and the absence of large retail hubs that could drive shoplifting. The low crime rate is consistent with the area's geography, where natural barriers and a slower pace of life may deter criminal activity compared to more urban centres.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with anti-social behaviour and shoplifting each doubling from the previous month — rising from 1 to 2 incidents. This increase may reflect seasonal factors, as the pre-spring lull could see more social gatherings or gatherings in public spaces where anti-social conduct is more likely to occur. Conversely, other crime categories experienced declines, including a 75% drop in 'other crime' incidents from 4 to 1, and a 50% reduction in drug-related offences from 2 to 1. These decreases could indicate improved policing in areas where such crimes typically occur, though the small absolute numbers mean any single incident would have a significant impact on the monthly totals. The category of 'violence and sexual offences' remains significantly below the UK average, occurring at 1.0 per 1,000 residents compared to the national rate of 2.3 per 1,000. This is 57% below the UK average for this category, suggesting that Braunton's social dynamics or local interventions may be effective in reducing such incidents. Residents might find the 11.1% share of shoplifting incidents particularly noteworthy, as this is twice the UK average for this category (0.6 per 1,000), indicating that while shoplifting is relatively rare in Braunton, it remains a concern for local businesses. These trends underscore the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to the specific needs of the area, rather than applying broad UK-wide measures.

Braunton's crime rate in February 2026 fell to 2.2 per 1,000 residents, a 27.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.0 per 1,000. This decline places the area well below the UK average, which stands at 6.4 per 1,000, and underscores the area's consistently low levels of criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 1 crime per day over the course of February, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime for every 459 residents. This means that, over the course of the month, the likelihood of any given resident experiencing a crime was extremely low, with only one in every 459 people being directly affected. When viewed in the context of Braunton's population of 8,265, this suggests that the community is relatively safe, with crime prevention efforts likely playing a significant role in maintaining these low rates. The comparison to the UK average also highlights the unique character of Braunton as a built-up area within North Devon, where the combination of coastal geography, limited commercial density, and strong local community ties may contribute to a crime profile that diverges from national trends. These figures provide a clear picture of the area's safety, offering residents reassurance that the risk of encountering crime remains minimal compared to both the UK average and the previous month's statistics.