Crime Rate in Barnstaple Central: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Barnstaple Central

The total recorded crimes in Barnstaple Central, North Devon, UK in May 2025 are around 162 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Barnstaple Central crime rate of 11.25 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 May were:

  • Shoplifting: (45) incidents (45.16% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (41) incidents (70.83% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (27) incidents (3.85% increase)
Barnstaple Central Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 37
  • Boutport Street with total crimes: 18
  • Mermaid Walk with total crimes: 13

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 May 2025 the Barnstaple Central has recorded 162 crimes with crime rate of 11.25 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Barnstaple Central)CrimesRank (Barnstaple Central)CrimesRank (Barnstaple Central)
Roundswell28 9398 79 1
Bickington43 5444 53 2
Ilfracombe East87 21,090 23 3
Barnstaple with Pilton51 4676 3NA NA
Barnstaple with Westacott64 3474 41 8
Braunton West & Georgeham26 10215 112 4
Chittlehampton2 2350 252 5
Fremington22 11152 132 6
Newport29 8418 6NA NA
South Molton39 6345 8NA NA
Ilfracombe West29 7223 10NA NA
Braunton East18 12151 141 9
Chulmleigh12 17345 9NA NA
Marwood10 18126 181 10
Mortehoe13 15148 151 11
Witheridge2 22129 171 12
Instow13 16173 12NA NA
Heanton Punchardon17 13114 19NA NA
Landkey15 14129 16NA NA
Combe Martin8 1996 20NA NA
Lynton & Lynmouth7 2064 22NA NA
North Molton5 2181 21NA NA
Bratton Fleming2 2558 23NA NA
Bishop's Nympton2 2457 24NA NA

Barnstaple Central Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (32 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (32 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (40 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (26 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 38 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 32 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (90 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (64 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (32 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (25 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 405 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 31.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202526
March 202539
February 202522
January 202520
December 202428
November 202432
October 202432
September 202432
August 202426
July 202432
June 202464
May 202425

A total of 14 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
February 20251
January 20252
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
May 20245

A total of 522 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 40.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 90 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202541
April 202524
March 202536
February 202542
January 202525
December 202447
November 202433
October 202442
September 202432
August 202440
July 202438
June 202490
May 202432

A total of 83 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20257
March 20255
February 20256
January 20253
December 20247
November 20247
October 20242
September 20245
August 20244
July 20248
June 202414
May 20247

A total of 105 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 8.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 20252
March 202517
February 20257
January 20256
December 20245
November 20247
October 20249
September 20244
August 20249
July 20247
June 202416
May 20244

A total of 345 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 26.54 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202545
April 202531
March 202517
February 202527
January 202520
December 202432
November 202440
October 202440
September 202418
August 202418
July 202413
June 202432
May 202412

A total of 16 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.78 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
March 20253
January 20251
December 20241
September 20243
August 20241
July 20241
June 20242
May 20241

A total of 45 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20252
March 20254
February 20252
January 20252
November 20243
October 20245
September 20243
August 20242
July 20243
June 202410
May 20245

A total of 24 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20253
March 20251
February 20251
January 20252
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
August 20243
July 20243
June 20244
May 20241

A total of 6 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
November 20241
October 20241
May 20241

A total of 153 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 11.77 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 20257
March 202511
February 202514
January 202512
December 20248
November 202412
October 20249
September 20248
August 20249
July 202416
June 202422
May 202415

A total of 14 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.56 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
January 20251
October 20241
July 20242
June 20242
May 20242

A total of 10 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20252
December 20241
November 20242
October 20241
May 20243

A total of 42 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.23 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
January 20254
December 20243
November 20243
October 20243
September 20248
August 20242
July 20245
June 20246
May 20243

High Crime Locations Barnstaple Central in May 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total37
Shoplifting31
Public order3
Violence and sexual offences2
Other theft1
2. Boutport Street (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour5
Violence and sexual offences5
Shoplifting3
Criminal damage and arson2
Robbery2
Public order1
3. Mermaid Walk (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting3
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order2
Theft from the person2
Other theft1
4. Nightclub (Map)
Total9
Anti-social behaviour4
Other crime2
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
5. Town Walk (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences6
Robbery1
6. Maiden Street (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour2
Shoplifting2
Public order1
7. Old Station Road (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson1
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Queen Street (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order1
Vehicle crime1
9. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour1
10. North Walk (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
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.