Crime in Barnstaple: statistics, rates and trends

3,521 crimes were recorded in Barnstaple in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,437 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Barnstaple has the 201st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Barnstaple was highest in the year to July 2019 (3,874 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (3,063). Over the whole period it fell 6%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Barnstaple over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+38%) and possession of weapons (+21%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-42%) and theft from the person (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Barnstaple

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Barnstaple recorded 1,437 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 40.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Barnstaple

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Barnstaple recorded 538 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 15.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Barnstaple

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Barnstaple recorded 428 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Barnstaple

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Barnstaple recorded 267 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Barnstaple

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Barnstaple recorded 266 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Barnstaple

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Barnstaple recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Barnstaple

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Barnstaple recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Barnstaple

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Barnstaple recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Barnstaple

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Barnstaple recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Barnstaple

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Barnstaple recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Barnstaple

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Barnstaple recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Barnstaple

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Barnstaple recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 225% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Barnstaple

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Barnstaple recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Barnstaple

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Barnstaple recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Barnstaple, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Barnstaple.

6 areas within Barnstaple, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Barnstaple Central had the highest rate (387.5 per 1,000) and Bickington the lowest (58.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Barnstaple over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Barnstaple over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Barnstaple has an estimated population of 30,232. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Barnstaple sits in decile 4.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Barnstaple. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.