Exeter Crime Rate February 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 138,399 residents, Exeter recorded 876 crimes in February 2023, translating to a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 people. This figure is 8.7% below the UK average of 6.9 per 1,000, marking a consistent trend of lower-than-average crime in the area. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (34.7% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (20.1%) and shoplifting (11.6%). These patterns align with Exeter's character as a historically significant city with a mix of urban and suburban areas, where high foot traffic in retail and university zones likely contributes to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. February, a winter month with limited outdoor activity, may have shifted crime dynamics towards indoor spaces, potentially explaining the prominence of violence and sexual offences. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle crime, were lower than the UK average, consistent with Exeter's well-maintained infrastructure and community-focused policing initiatives. The data also reveals a pre-spring lull in outdoor activity, which may have reduced opportunities for certain crimes while concentrating activity in specific high-traffic areas.

February 2023 saw a significant divergence in crime patterns compared to the UK average, with some categories standing out. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.2 per 1,000, were 11% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, suggesting effective local interventions or demographic factors that mitigate violent crime. Conversely, anti-social behaviour (1.3 per 1,000) was 34% above the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000, a stark contrast that may reflect Exeter's student population and the density of university campuses, which can amplify noise-related and disruptive incidents. Shoplifting (0.7 per 1,000) was 59% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000, highlighting the impact of high-traffic retail areas such as Exeter's historic high street, where footfall and commercial activity create opportunities for theft. Meanwhile, vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) was 78% below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, likely due to secure parking provisions and lower vehicle density in residential zones. A resident might find the 59% increase in shoplifting particularly notable, as it underscores the need for targeted retail security measures during peak shopping periods, even in winter months.

In February 2023, Exeter recorded 31 crimes per day on average, a figure that provides a granular view of local crime frequency. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 158 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the impact of crime within the population. With 138,399 residents, this means that approximately 876 individuals experienced a crime directly or indirectly, reflecting a relatively low level of personal risk compared to the UK average. The daily crime count, while seemingly high, is distributed across the city's diverse areas, with no single district bearing the brunt of activity. This contrasts with larger urban centres where crime density is often concentrated. The 8.7% reduction in crime rate compared to the UK average also suggests that Exeter's policing strategies, community engagement, and urban design may be more effective in mitigating crime. For example, the lower-than-average rates of burglary and vehicle crime may be attributed to Exeter's compact layout, which allows for more visible policing and community surveillance. These factors collectively contribute to a crime profile that, while not without challenges, is safer than the national average.