Crime Rate in Barnstaple Central: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Barnstaple Central

The total recorded crimes in Barnstaple Central, North Devon, UK in July 2025 are around 137 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Barnstaple Central crime rate of 9.51 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Barnstaple Central, encompassing approximately 14,403 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Shoplifting: (31) incidents (121.43% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (30) incidents (-30.23% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (21) incidents (-19.23% decrease)
Barnstaple Central Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 27
  • Mermaid Walk with total crimes: 14
  • Boutport Street with total crimes: 9

How safe is Barnstaple Central?

To understand the safety of Barnstaple Central, we need to analyze Barnstaple Central crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to North Devon:

    • In 2024, Barnstaple Central reported a higher crime volume than the North Devon average, with 1,452 crimes compared to 304. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Barnstaple Central witnessed more crimes than 24 out of 24 other areas in the North Devon.

    • In 2023, Barnstaple Central had fewer crimes than the North Devon average, with 2 crimes compared to 2. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Furthermore, Barnstaple Central witnessed more crimes than 8 out of 11 other areas in the North Devon.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in North Devon, Barnstaple Central has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Barnstaple Central Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Barnstaple Central has recorded 137 crimes with crime rate of 9.51 ranking 1th out of 24 in the North Devon, UK

In 2024, the total Barnstaple Central crimes were 1,452. The crime rate of Barnstaple Central in 2024 was 100.81 (year) or 8.40 (month) ranking it 1 dangerous area in the North Devon.

In 2023, the total crimes in Barnstaple Central were around 2 crimes with yearly crime rate of 0.14 (year) or 0.01 (month) ranking 7 most dangerous area in the North Devon.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Barnstaple Central)CrimesRank (Barnstaple Central)CrimesRank (Barnstaple Central)
Roundswell23 11398 79 1
Bickington39 6444 53 2
Ilfracombe East116 21,090 23 3
Barnstaple with Pilton64 3676 3NA NA
Braunton West & Georgeham17 12215 112 4
Barnstaple with Westacott53 4474 41 8
Chittlehampton7 1950 252 5
South Molton44 5345 8NA NA
Fremington16 14152 132 6
Newport25 10418 6NA NA
Chulmleigh39 7345 9NA NA
Ilfracombe West32 8223 10NA NA
Braunton East17 13151 141 9
Mortehoe32 9148 151 11
Marwood6 21126 181 10
Witheridge14 15129 171 12
Instow8 18173 12NA NA
Landkey5 22129 16NA NA
North Molton10 1681 21NA NA
Heanton Punchardon8 17114 19NA NA
Combe Martin3 2496 20NA NA
Bishop's Nympton6 2057 24NA NA
Lynton & Lynmouth4 2364 22NA NA
Bratton Fleming3 2558 23NA NA

Barnstaple Central Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 31 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 30 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (43 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (26 cases).

In May 2025, Shoplifting dominated crime reports (45 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (41 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Shoplifting were the most frequent (31 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (26 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (39 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (36 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 42 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 27 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (25 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (20 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 47 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 32 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (40 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (33 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (42 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (40 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 14 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
May 20252
April 20251
February 20251
January 20252
November 20241
October 20241

A total of 24 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.40 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20253
May 20251
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
January 20254
December 20243
November 20243
October 20243

A total of 363 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 36.30 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 47 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202530
June 202543
May 202541
April 202524
March 202536
February 202542
January 202525
December 202447
November 202433
October 202442

A total of 11 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.57 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
May 20252
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
January 20251
October 20241

A total of 273 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 27.30 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 39 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202521
June 202526
May 202527
April 202526
March 202539
February 202522
January 202520
December 202428
November 202432
October 202432

A total of 12 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.71 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 20251
May 20251
March 20252
December 20241
November 20242
October 20241

A total of 30 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 3.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20255
May 20254
April 20252
March 20254
February 20252
January 20252
November 20243
October 20245

A total of 107 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 10.70 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202512
June 202512
May 202510
April 20257
March 202511
February 202514
January 202512
December 20248
November 202412
October 20249

A total of 57 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 5.70 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20255
May 20258
April 20257
March 20255
February 20256
January 20253
December 20247
November 20247
October 20242

A total of 297 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 29.70 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202531
June 202514
May 202545
April 202531
March 202517
February 202527
January 202520
December 202432
November 202440
October 202440

A total of 12 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20252
May 20253
March 20253
January 20251
December 20241

A total of 86 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 8.60 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202511
June 202510
May 202512
April 20252
March 202517
February 20257
January 20256
December 20245
November 20247
October 20249

A total of 20 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 20253
May 20253
April 20253
March 20251
February 20251
January 20252
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241

A total of 5 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
November 20241
October 20241

High Crime Locations Barnstaple Central in July 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Barnstaple Central postcode area is presented below.

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting23
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
2. Mermaid Walk (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting3
Other theft2
Theft from the person2
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Possession of weapons1
3. Boutport Street (Map)
Total9
Anti-social behaviour3
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Public order1
Shoplifting1
4. Bevan Road (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences7
5. Parking Area (Map)
Total7
Other crime3
Criminal damage and arson2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Butchers Row (Map)
Total6
Criminal damage and arson2
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Drugs1
7. Bull Court (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Shoplifting1
8. Old Station Road (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Other crime1
Shoplifting1
Vehicle crime1
9. Nightclub (Map)
Total4
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Alexandra Road (Map)
Total4
Public order2
Anti-social behaviour1
Possession of weapons1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.