Exeter Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Exeter's crime rate in May 2025 reached 11.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 42% above the UK average of 8.1. This stark divergence from national trends underscores the city's unique crime profile, shaped by its role as a major university city and tourist destination. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.1% of all crimes, significantly higher than the UK average, a pattern consistent with the city's high student population and late-night social hubs. Shoplifting, at 2.2 per 1,000, was 228% above the UK average, likely driven by Exeter's retail corridors and the influx of visitors during May's extended evenings and bank holidays. Anti-social behaviour also surged, with 1.9 per 1,000 incidents—34% above the UK average—possibly linked to the city's dense urban fabric and the social dynamics of its university community. The seasonal context of May, with its longer evenings and increased outdoor activity, may partly explain the rise in violent and public order offences, though the exact causal links remain complex. Exeter's property crime rate, while lower than violent crime, still showed marked increases in burglary and shoplifting, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in commercial and residential areas.

May 2025 saw a sharp increase in robbery, with incidents doubling from 6 to 12—a 100% rise—while burglary jumped 69% from 29 to 49. Theft from the person also rose by 57.1%, from 7 to 11, suggesting heightened vulnerability in public spaces. These trends contrast with a 19.5% drop in drug-related crimes, which fell from 41 to 33. Shoplifting remained an outlier, with rates 228% above the UK average, driven by Exeter's retail density and tourist activity. The city's violent crime rate—3.8 per 1,000—was 34% above the UK average, a figure consistent with its vibrant nightlife and university presence. Meanwhile, vehicle crime in Exeter was 50% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the city's lower car ownership rates compared to more industrial areas.

Exeter's crime rate in May 2025 rose to 11.5 per 1,000 residents, a 16.8% increase from April's 9.9 per 1,000. This places the city 42% above the UK average of 8.1, a gap that has widened since last month. On average, 51 crimes were reported daily in May, translating to one crime for every 87 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is higher than the UK's average, though specific UK figures for this metric are not provided. The population context reveals that Exeter's 138,399 residents face a crime environment that diverges from national trends, particularly in violent and property crime categories. While the city's daily crime count aligns with its overall rate, the concentration of violent crimes—33.1% of all reported incidents—suggests a unique challenge compared to the UK average, where violent crimes account for 34% of the total but at a lower rate per capita.