Total Crime Rate
117.1 per 1,000
All offences · Oct 2024 - Sep 2025John Smale Road area has the 11th highest crime rate of 38 local areas in Barnstaple Central , and the 43rd highest crime rate of 313 local areas in North Devon .
This postcode sits in a local crime hotspot. Overall crime levels here are significantly higher than in the surrounding streets and the wider area.
The overall crime rate in the area around John Smale Road (EX31 2HR) in the last 12 months was 117.1 per 1,000 residents and was 74.3% lower than the Barnstaple Central average (455.8 per 1,000 residents). In the last 12 months, this area’s most reported crimes were Violence and sexual offences with 15 offences recorded. The least common crime was Burglary with 1 case , up 100.0% compared to 2024. The fastest-growing crime category was Burglary ( 100.0% YoY). The sharpest decline was Criminal damage and arson ( -80.0% YoY).
Violent crimes totalled 23 (≈ 65.7 per 1,000 residents). Year-over-year these were rising ( 21.1% ). Over the last decade, overall crime has falling ( -47.2% comparing early vs recent averages) .
In the area around John Smale Road (EX31 2HR), the main crime hotspot is near Crosslands. Police recorded 17 crimes here, including 14 violent or public-order offences. All these locations are within roughly 0.3 miles.
View Crime In Barnstaple Central| Month | Crime | Location* | Last Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | Woodville Close | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| Sep 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | Oakland Park South | Under investigation |
| Sep 2025 | Anti-social behaviour | John Smale Road | — |
StreetScan crime figures are based on official UK open data:
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.