Crime Rate in Exeter: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Exeter

The total recorded crimes in Exeter, UK in May 2025 are around 1,932 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Exeter crime rate of 14.78 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 Exeter, encompassing approximately 130,707 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (658) incidents (16.67% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (343) incidents (33.46% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (322) incidents (23.37% increase)
Exeter Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 95
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 67
  • Cathedral Yard with total crimes: 63

Exeter Police Info:

Devon & Cornwall Police

How safe is Exeter?

To understand the safety of Exeter, we need to analyze Exeter crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Exeter has recorded 18,875 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 144.41 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 40 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 129 crimes with a crime rate of 0.99, ranking it 314 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Devon:

    • In 2024, Exeter reported a higher crime volume than the Devon average, with 18,875 crimes compared to 7,668. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Exeter recorded fewer crimes than 7 out of 7 other cities.

    • In 2023, Exeter experienced a greater number of crimes than the Devon average, with 129 crimes compared to 94. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Exeter recorded fewer crimes than 5 out of 7 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Exeter is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Devon, Exeter has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Exeter Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, St David's (848 crimes), and the safest, Exwick (45 crimes), is 803 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Exeter.

Similarly, the area of Central Exeter (860 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to St Leonard's (24 crimes), with a difference of 836 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Exeter.

Most Dangerous Wards:

St David's848
St Thomas152
Newtown and St Leonard's132
Duryard and St James123
Pinhoe112

Safest Wards:

Topsham70
Alphington67
Heavitree63
Mincinglake and Whipton61
Exwick45

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Exeter860
Alphington & Marsh Barton145
St Thomas East142
Middlemoor & Sowton141
St James's Park & Hoopern105

Safest Areas:

Mincinglake & Beacon Heath40
Exwick & Foxhayes37
Pennsylvania & University35
St Thomas West32
St Leonard's24

Exeter Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Exeter has recorded 1,932 crimes with crime rate of 14.78 ranking 14th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 3 in terms of crime rate in Devon.

In 2024, the total Exeter crimes were 18,875. The crime rate of Exeter in 2024 was 144.41 (year) or 12.03 (month) ranking it 40 danzarous in the UK. Exeter ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Devon.

In 2023, the total crimes in Exeter were around 129 crimes with yearly crime rate of 0.99 (year) or 0.08 (month) ranking 314 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Devon, Exeter ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 3 as per crime rate of Exeter

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Devon)CrimesRank (Devon)CrimesRank (Devon)
Torridge413 84,175 58 8
South Hams422 74,657 821 7
East Devon768 28,653 7269 2
North Devon706 67,608 228 6
West Devon250 43,493 656 4
Teignbridge793 58,510 463 5
Mid Devon472 15,371 3176 1

Exeter Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (658 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (343 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (564 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (261 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (575 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (267 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 505 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 221 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (471 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (251 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 568 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 248 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (501 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (237 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (543 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (310 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (522 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (258 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (516 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (309 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 662 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 377 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1162 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (672 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3058 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 254.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 438 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025322
April 2025261
March 2025255
February 2025221
January 2025232
December 2024193
November 2024237
October 2024227
September 2024196
August 2024219
July 2024257
June 2024438

A total of 321 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202535
April 202528
March 202526
February 202518
January 202526
December 202422
November 202417
October 202418
September 202424
August 202418
July 202423
June 202466

A total of 223 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.58 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202527
March 202517
February 20257
January 202521
December 20249
November 202418
October 202420
September 202413
August 202414
July 202419
June 202424

A total of 649 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 54.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202543
April 202565
March 202561
February 202547
January 202549
December 202443
November 202445
October 202440
September 202437
August 202460
July 202461
June 202498

A total of 1212 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 101.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 202 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025125
April 2025103
March 202575
February 202568
January 202565
December 2024101
November 202477
October 202485
September 2024104
August 202497
July 2024110
June 2024202

A total of 204 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202517
March 202520
February 20258
January 202510
December 202414
November 202410
October 202433
September 20246
August 202414
July 202416
June 202428

A total of 1495 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 124.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 184 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025127
April 2025130
March 2025105
February 202592
January 202585
December 2024111
November 2024124
October 2024150
September 2024119
August 2024132
July 2024136
June 2024184

A total of 128 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.67 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 20258
March 20256
February 202515
January 202514
December 20245
November 20242
October 202411
September 202419
August 202417
July 202411
June 20244

A total of 3704 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 308.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 672 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025343
April 2025257
March 2025267
February 2025204
January 2025251
December 2024248
November 2024208
October 2024310
September 2024258
August 2024309
July 2024377
June 2024672

A total of 7247 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 603.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1162 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025658
April 2025564
March 2025575
February 2025505
January 2025471
December 2024568
November 2024501
October 2024543
September 2024522
August 2024516
July 2024662
June 20241162

A total of 460 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202555
April 202537
March 202536
February 202533
January 202535
December 202440
November 202436
October 202446
September 202425
August 202424
July 202437
June 202456

A total of 186 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202511
March 20258
February 20258
January 202513
December 20249
November 202413
October 202420
September 202412
August 202410
July 202423
June 202444

A total of 1258 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 104.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 190 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025108
April 202593
March 2025104
February 202588
January 202591
December 202488
November 202480
October 2024102
September 202494
August 2024106
July 2024114
June 2024190

A total of 312 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 70 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202516
March 202526
February 202516
January 202523
December 202426
November 202414
October 202426
September 202417
August 202428
July 202427
June 202470

High Crime Locations Exeter in May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total95
Shoplifting93
Other theft2
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total67
Shoplifting67
3. Cathedral Yard (Map)
Total63
Violence and sexual offences24
Anti-social behaviour18
Possession of weapons6
Shoplifting3
Public order3
Other crime3
Criminal damage and arson3
Burglary3
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total51
Violence and sexual offences12
Anti-social behaviour12
Public order6
Possession of weapons6
Bicycle theft6
Shoplifting3
Other theft3
Drugs3
5. Little Queen Street (Map)
Total46
Shoplifting27
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour5
Theft from the person2
Public order2
Other theft2
Drugs1
6. North Street (Map)
Total44
Violence and sexual offences24
Anti-social behaviour9
Public order6
Drugs3
Theft from the person1
Robbery1

To know about postcode areas in Exeter, visit Exeter information

  • 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
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