Exeter Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2025, Exeter recorded 1,136 crimes, equating to a crime rate of 8.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the city 22.4% above the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000, highlighting a significant disparity in local crime trends compared to the national context. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.9% of all recorded incidents (431 cases). This was followed by shoplifting (17.3%, 197 cases) and anti-social behaviour (15.0%, 170 cases). The seasonal context of February—characterized by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may contribute to the concentration of violent crimes indoors, such as in residential or commercial premises. Shoplifting, in particular, may be influenced by the proximity of Exeter's retail hubs to public transport and educational institutions, which could drive foot traffic even during the winter months. Anti-social behaviour, which was 24% above the UK average, may be linked to the city's mix of urban and semi-rural areas, where social interactions are more frequent in densely populated zones. The data suggests that while overall crime rates have seen a slight decline from the previous month, the persistence of violent and property-related crimes indicates a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. The higher-than-average rates in violence and shoplifting underscore the importance of understanding local factors, such as the city's role as a university town and its economic reliance on retail and tourism, which may influence crime patterns in ways that differ from other UK regions.

February 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns compared to January. Violence and sexual offences increased by 9.1%, rising from 395 to 431 incidents, which may partly explain the overall rate remaining elevated despite a slight monthly decline. Robbery rates surged by 22.2%, with incidents rising from 9 to 11, highlighting a potential spike in targeted crimes. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped sharply by 53.3%, falling from 15 to 7, possibly reflecting seasonal changes in outdoor activity. Theft from the person also decreased by 33.3%, from 9 to 6, which may be linked to reduced foot traffic during the winter months. Shoplifting remained the second most common crime, with 197 incidents recorded—126% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This suggests that retail areas in Exeter, such as the city centre, continue to face challenges with petty theft. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 30.4%, from 23 to 16, which could be attributed to fewer vehicles on the road during colder weather.

Exeter's crime rate in February 2025 stood at 8.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.4. This slight decline suggests a potential stabilization in overall crime trends. above the UK average. On a daily basis, 41 crimes were reported each day in February, translating to a local context of one crime occurring for every 122 residents over the course of the month. Considering Exeter's population of 138,399, this means 1,136 crimes were recorded across a city with a mix of urban and semi-rural areas. While the daily figure may seem high, this is a monthly aggregate and not a daily frequency. The population-scaled perspective shows that residents face a higher-than-average risk of crime compared to the UK, particularly in categories like violence and shoplifting, which are both significantly above national averages.