Braunton Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Braunton's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 3.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 55.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast to the national picture underscores the area's relatively low crime profile, shaped by its character as a built-up coastal town within North Devon. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (16%) and 'other crime' (16%). These figures reflect a mixed landscape where personal safety concerns persist alongside property crime trends that remain markedly lower than national averages. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the lower incidence of shoplifting and public order offences, which were absent in this month's data. However, the dominance of violent crime highlights the need for targeted community engagement, particularly in areas with higher population density or social interaction. The low rate of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and drugs-related offences (0.2 per 1,000) aligns with Braunton's demographic profile, which may include a mix of permanent residents and seasonal visitors. This balance between local and transient populations could influence crime patterns. The overall crime rate remains a testament to the area's broader safety, even as specific categories like 'other crime' show significant deviations from UK averages. Understanding these dynamics requires careful consideration of both geographic and temporal factors, ensuring that local initiatives are informed by the nuanced realities of Braunton's crime picture.

January 2026 saw a 300% surge in criminal damage and arson cases, rising from one to four incidents. This spike contrasts with a 66.7% decline in anti-social behaviour, which dropped from three to one incident. The category of 'other crime' also doubled from zero to four, a figure that is 212% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained significantly below the UK average, at 1.2 per 1,000 (52% below the national rate). The absence of shoplifting reports in January, compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, aligns with the seasonal context of reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours. These shifts highlight the volatility of specific crime types in Braunton, with property-related offences remaining low despite the overall increase in crime rate. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the unexpected rise in criminal damage, which may warrant local awareness campaigns.

Braunton's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 55.7% compared to December 2025, moving from 1.9 to 3.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though notable, remains 55.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported incident per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of crime in this built-up area. When scaled to the population of 8,265, the monthly exposure translates to one crime occurring for every 331 residents. This ratio underscores the relatively low risk of encountering crime for local residents compared to national benchmarks. The shift in crime mix from December to January reflects seasonal patterns typical of Braunton's character as a coastal town with reduced retail footfall during winter, which may partly explain the drop in shoplifting and public order offences. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson suggests new factors at play, potentially linked to post-holiday maintenance activities or isolated incidents.