Lowest-crime areas in North Devon
Of North Devon's 14 neighbourhoods, Fremington & Instow recorded the lowest crime rate, 31 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Barnstaple Central the highest, 225 crimes per 1,000 residents. 11 of 14 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
North Devon neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fremington & Instowaround EX31 3AL | 31 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh & Kings Heantonaround EX32 7JY | 31 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Bishop's Nympton, Witheridge & Chulmleigharound EX36 4NN | 36 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Woolacombe, Georgeham & Croydearound EX33 1HY | 37 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Brauntonaround EX33 2AJ | 38 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Lynton & Combe Martinaround EX34 0JL | 40 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Roundswell & Landkeyaround EX31 3QX | 49 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | South Moltonaround EX36 4BX | 49 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Barnstaple Southaround EX32 8NX | 74 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Barnstaple Piltonaround EX31 4AB | 79 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Ilfracombe Westaround EX34 8DF | 83 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | Barnstaple Sticklepatharound EX31 2BU | 120 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Ilfracombe Eastaround EX34 9LD | 168 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Barnstaple Centralaround EX32 7DY | 225 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of North Devon has the lowest crime rate?
Fremington & Instow had the lowest recorded crime rate in North Devon from October 2025 to September 2026: 31 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of North Devon has the highest crime rate?
Barnstaple Central had the highest recorded crime rate in North Devon from October 2025 to September 2026: 225 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.