Youth gangs blamed as towns sees unexpected surge in crime reports

Most young people are well behaved and have no offending background but there are particular individuals who associate together and become involved in crime or disorder

- by LEWIS CLARKE [e-mail] @DevonLiveNews

BARNSTAPLE saw a sharp and unexplained spike in crime during March, with police figures showing a 27.7% increase compared to the same month last year, according to a report shared at a town council meeting.

Inspector Andy Wills from Devon and Cornwall Police presented the data at a meeting of Barnstaple Town Council on Monday, April 28. He highlighted a significant rise in disorderly behaviour and criminal activity linked to a small number of young people.

The rise comes against a backdrop of a general increase in recorded crime across the wider force area. In 2024, Devon and Cornwall Police saw an overall 16.7% rise in crime compared to 2023. In Barnstaple, the increase was more modest, at 6.4%, which Insp Wills described as a comparatively positive outcome.