Exeter Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Exeter's October 2023 crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents marked a significant departure from the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a 40% reduction. This stark contrast highlights the city's relatively safer environment compared to the national landscape. The breakdown of crimes reveals that anti-social behaviour (175 incidents) and violence and sexual offences (166 incidents) dominated the crime profile, accounting for 51.4% of all reported offences. These figures align with Exeter's character as a historic city with a strong university presence, where social dynamics and community engagement may contribute to lower levels of violent crime. Shoplifting (79 incidents) and criminal damage (73 incidents) followed closely, suggesting retail and public spaces remain focal points for property-related offences. Seasonal factors in October—darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—may influence crime patterns, particularly in anti-social behaviour. The lower-than-average rates for violent crime, burglary, and vehicle crime could reflect Exeter's urban planning, with well-lit public areas and community policing initiatives playing a role. However, the city's anti-social behaviour rate matched the UK average, indicating that challenges in managing public order persist despite overall lower crime levels. This data suggests a combination of local demographics, infrastructure, and seasonal rhythms shaping Exeter's crime picture.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in Exeter's crime profile, with theft from the person surging by 100% (from 5 to 10 incidents) and possession of weapons rising by 60% (from 5 to 8). These increases, though still low compared to UK averages, may reflect heightened activity during Halloween events or increased foot traffic in the city centre. Conversely, robbery incidents plummeted by two-thirds (from 6 to 2), while burglary fell by 42.1% (from 19 to 11), suggesting potential success in targeted policing efforts or seasonal deterrents. The city's violence and sexual offences rate (1.2 per 1,000) was 56% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 26.4% share of anti-social behaviour cases. This disparity underscores Exeter's unique profile, where community-focused approaches may mitigate violent crime while public order issues remain a consistent challenge. Shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) was only 3% above the UK average, indicating that retail sectors in Exeter face similar pressures to other areas despite the city's overall lower crime rate.

Exeter's October 2023 crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 marked a 7.3% decrease from the previous month's 5.2 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. This reduction translates to roughly 21 crimes reported daily—a figure that, while concerning, is significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to Exeter's population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 208 residents, a statistic that provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. When viewed through a demographic lens, this rate is particularly striking given Exeter's population of 138,399, which is comparable in size to many UK cities but benefits from a lower crime density. The city's performance in specific categories is even more pronounced: vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) was 81% below the UK average, and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) was 71% below. These figures suggest that Exeter's urban design, including well-maintained infrastructure and possibly higher community engagement, contributes to its safer environment. However, the city's anti-social behaviour rate matched the UK average, illustrating that while Exeter excels in reducing violent and property crimes, public order challenges remain consistent with national trends.