Exeter Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Exeter’s crime rate in October 2023 stood at 4.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 40% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This disparity is most pronounced in violent crimes, which were 56% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 2% above the UK average for anti-social behaviour, the most common crime type. Anti-social behaviour accounted for 26.4% of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (25.0%) and shoplifting (11.9%). The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—likely contributed to shifts in crime patterns. For instance, the lower incidence of violent crime may be partially explained by reduced outdoor activity during shorter daylight hours. Conversely, the rise in theft from the person by 100% could be attributed to increased foot traffic during Halloween events. The area’s lower property crime rates compared to the UK average may reflect a combination of factors, including a smaller proportion of high-value retail areas and effective local policing strategies. However, the persistence of anti-social behaviour as the leading crime type suggests ongoing challenges in addressing community-level issues, even as overall crime rates remain significantly lower than the national benchmark.

October 2023 saw a sharp 100% increase in theft from the person, with incidents rising from five to ten. This surge may be linked to Halloween-related activity, though no direct causal link can be confirmed. Conversely, robbery rates plummeted by two-thirds, from six to two, a drop that could reflect seasonal factors or targeted policing efforts. Among property crimes, burglary fell by 42.1%, from 19 to 11, marking one of the largest declines in the month. This reduction contrasts with the 28.6% increase in bicycle theft, which rose from 14 to 18. Violent crimes in Exeter were 56% below the UK average, a disparity that may be influenced by the area’s lower population density or the presence of community-focused initiatives. However, anti-social behaviour remained the most common crime, accounting for 26.4% of total reports, a figure that matched the UK average despite the overall lower crime rate in Exeter.

Exeter's crime rate in October 2023 fell to 4.8 per 1,000 residents, a 7.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader trends observed in the latter half of the year, though the pace of reduction slowed compared to earlier months. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 21 crimes per day in October, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 208 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which is not directly comparable due to the absence of a standardised daily figure for the UK as a whole. The population context further highlights the scale: with 138,399 residents, the 664 total crimes reported in October represent a relatively low proportion of the population, reinforcing Exeter’s position as a safer area compared to the national average. However, the distribution of crime types within this aggregate figure reveals nuances that warrant closer examination.