Crime Rate in North Devon: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in North Devon

The total recorded crimes in North Devon, UK in May 2025 are around 706 as per the recent police data. This equates to a North Devon crime rate of 7.16 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 North Devon, encompassing approximately 98,612 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (257) incidents (7.53% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (138) incidents (6.98% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (82) incidents (32.26% increase)
North Devon Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 34
  • Boutport Street with total crimes: 17
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 16

North Devon Police Info:

Devon & Cornwall Police

How safe is North Devon?

To understand the safety of North Devon, we need to analyze North Devon crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • North Devon has recorded 7,608 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 77.15 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 219 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 28 crimes with a crime rate of 0.28, ranking it 326 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Devon:

    • In 2024, North Devon demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Devon average, with 7608 crimes compared to 7668.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, North Devon recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 7 other cities.

    • In 2023, North Devon had fewer crimes than the Devon average, with 28 crimes compared to 94. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, North Devon witnessed more crimes than 5 out of 7 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, North Devon is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Devon, North Devon has a lower crime rate in 2024.

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

North Devon Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Barnstaple Central (162 crimes), and the safest, Bratton Fleming (2 crimes), is 160 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across North Devon.

Similarly, the area of Barnstaple Central (162 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh & Kings Heanton (14 crimes), with a difference of 148 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within North Devon.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Barnstaple Central162
Ilfracombe East87
Barnstaple with Westacott64
Barnstaple with Pilton51
Bickington43

Safest Wards:

North Molton5
Witheridge2
Chittlehampton2
Bishop's Nympton2
Bratton Fleming2

Most Dangerous Areas:

Barnstaple Central162
Barnstaple South71
Barnstaple Sticklepath69
Ilfracombe East59
Ilfracombe West57

Safest Areas:

Woolacombe, Georgeham & Croyde34
Fremington & Instow25
Lynton & Combe Martin23
Bishop's Nympton, Witheridge & Chulmleigh16
Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh & Kings Heanton14

North Devon Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the North Devon has recorded 706 crimes with crime rate of 7.16 ranking 202th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 4 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 6 in terms of crime rate in Devon.

In 2024, the total North Devon crimes were 7,608. The crime rate of North Devon in 2024 was 77.15 (year) or 6.43 (month) ranking it 219 danzarous in the UK. North Devon ranked 4 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Devon.

In 2023, the total crimes in North Devon were around 28 crimes with yearly crime rate of 0.28 (year) or 0.02 (month) ranking 326 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Devon, North Devon ranked 6 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 6 as per crime rate of North Devon

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Devon)CrimesRank (Devon)CrimesRank (Devon)
Torridge413 84,175 58 8
South Hams422 74,657 821 7
East Devon768 28,653 7269 2
West Devon250 43,493 656 4
Teignbridge793 58,510 463 5
Exeter1,932 318,875 1129 3
Mid Devon472 15,371 3176 1

North Devon Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (257 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (138 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (239 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (129 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (227 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (110 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 230 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 118 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (196 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (100 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 253 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 86 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (271 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (105 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (246 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (106 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (254 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (127 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (317 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (143 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 270 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 136 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (562 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (264 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3322 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 276.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 562 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025257
April 2025239
March 2025227
February 2025230
January 2025196
December 2024253
November 2024271
October 2024246
September 2024254
August 2024317
July 2024270
June 2024562

A total of 211 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202510
March 202514
February 202518
January 202526
December 20249
November 202414
October 202414
September 202418
August 202416
July 202421
June 202438

A total of 1562 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 130.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 264 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025138
April 2025129
March 2025110
February 2025118
January 2025100
December 202486
November 2024105
October 2024106
September 2024127
August 2024143
July 2024136
June 2024264

A total of 525 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 43.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202540
April 202559
March 202556
February 202538
January 202533
December 202436
November 202435
October 202434
September 202437
August 202436
July 202439
June 202482

A total of 737 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 61.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 96 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202582
April 202562
March 202553
February 202548
January 202548
December 202477
November 202462
October 202468
September 202453
August 202448
July 202440
June 202496

A total of 42 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20252
March 20255
February 20253
January 20254
December 20241
November 20243
October 20243
September 20244
August 20245
July 20246
June 20242

A total of 63 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20255
March 20256
February 20255
January 20252
December 20244
November 20245
October 202410
September 20245
August 20244
July 20242
June 20246

A total of 24 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20253
March 20251
December 20242
November 20243
October 20242
July 20241
June 20246

A total of 250 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 20.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202513
March 202528
February 202517
January 202521
December 202421
November 202424
October 202410
September 202429
August 202413
July 202428
June 202436

A total of 92 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20253
March 20259
February 20255
January 202514
December 20249
November 20244
October 202410
September 20249
August 20243
July 20244
June 202416

A total of 748 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 62.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202570
April 202556
March 202571
February 202564
January 202561
December 202438
November 202444
October 202451
September 202461
August 202457
July 202465
June 2024110

A total of 529 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 44.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202550
April 202525
March 202556
February 202531
January 202551
December 202427
November 202434
October 202445
September 202447
August 202437
July 202448
June 202478

A total of 220 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.33 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202519
April 202511
March 202528
February 202513
January 202517
December 202412
November 20246
October 202432
September 202420
August 202423
July 202419
June 202420

A total of 27 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.45 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
March 20254
February 20253
January 20251
December 20243
November 20245
October 20242
September 20242
August 20242
June 20242

High Crime Locations North Devon in May 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total34
Shoplifting31
Public order3
2. Boutport Street (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour5
Shoplifting3
Robbery2
Criminal damage and arson2
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting12
Anti-social behaviour2
Robbery1
Other crime1
4. Mermaid Walk (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences3
Shoplifting3
Theft from the person2
Public order2
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
5. Nightclub (Map)
Total9
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences2
Other crime2
Public order1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences5
Drugs3
Other crime1

To know about postcode areas in North Devon, visit North Devon information

  • 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
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