Exeter Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Exeter’s crime rate in November 2023 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 30.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure highlights the city’s continued position as a relatively safe urban area. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 31.5% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (23.4%) and shoplifting (15.6%). The seasonal context of November—characterised by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and the onset of darker evenings—likely influenced these trends. For instance, the sharp increase in shoplifting may be attributed to heightened retail activity, while the drop in bicycle theft could reflect university-led initiatives or improved security measures. Violent crimes, though still the largest category, were 38% below the UK average, a testament to local efforts in community policing and conflict resolution. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained 14% above the UK average, suggesting ongoing challenges in managing public order, particularly in high-traffic areas. The data also shows that property-related crimes, such as burglary and vehicle crime, were significantly below national levels, with burglary at 71% below the UK average. This may be due to Exeter’s compact urban layout and the presence of well-lit public spaces, which deter opportunistic offenders. Overall, the crime profile reflects a balance between local initiatives and external factors, with the city’s lower-than-average rates reinforcing its reputation as a safer place to live.

November 2023 saw several notable shifts in Exeter’s crime profile. Bicycle theft plummeted by 66.7%, falling from 18 to 6 incidents—a significant decline likely linked to seasonal factors and potentially increased security measures around university campuses. Shoplifting also rose sharply, increasing by 40.5% to 111 incidents, possibly driven by Black Friday shopping activity and the extended hours of retail outlets. Meanwhile, burglary surged by 54.5%, with 17 incidents reported compared to 11 in the previous month, suggesting a need for heightened vigilance in residential areas. Other crime, including anti-social behaviour and drug-related offences, showed mixed trends, with anti-social behaviour remaining 14% above the UK average at 1.2 per 1,000. These changes illustrate the combination of local events and broader crime patterns, though the overall rate remains well below the national benchmark.

Exeter's crime rate in November 2023 rose slightly by 7.5% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.8 to 5.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, underscores the dynamic nature of local crime trends. On a daily basis, Exeter recorded an average of 24 crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the city's population density and the seasonal context of November. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 194 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relative safety of the area despite the rise in some categories. When scaled to Exeter’s population of 138,399, this translates to a manageable level of risk for residents, though the uptick in specific crime types deserves closer attention. The city’s proximity to a major university and its role as a regional hub may influence patterns, but the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, reinforcing Exeter’s position as a safer-than-average urban centre.