Exeter Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Exeter's crime profile in September 2025 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crimes, with the former accounting for 37.5% of all incidents compared to 12.1% for shoplifting. This dominance of violent crime—485 incidents—over property offences (435) contrasts with UK averages, where violent crime constitutes 36% of the national total. The city's 9.4 per 1,000 crime rate, 27% above the UK average, reflects a combination of factors including its status as a major urban centre with a large student population. Seasonal context suggests that the return to academic term, with freshers' week activity and increased foot traffic in town centres, may have amplified violent and anti-social behaviour incidents. Anti-social behaviour, at 19.4% of all crimes, was 54% above the UK average, likely driven by the convergence of students and local residents during this period. Meanwhile, shoplifting rose to 1.1 per 1,000, 80% above the UK figure, pointing to retail areas as hotspots. The city's historic character and proximity to coastal tourism routes may also influence crime patterns, though these dynamics require further analysis to fully understand their impact on local crime rates.

September 2025 saw a dramatic 121.4% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 14 to 31 incidents. This spike aligns with Exeter's status as a university city, where student populations and campus cycling infrastructure may contribute to the trend. Violent crime remained the dominant category, comprising 37.5% of all incidents, significantly above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (36% above). Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 35%, likely reflecting reduced summer traffic and improved security measures in car parks. Public order offences fell by 33%, potentially linked to the transition from summer to autumn, with fewer night-time events and a decline in freshers' week activity. These shifts highlight a seasonal realignment in crime patterns, with property-related incidents rising alongside the start of the academic term.

Exeter's crime rate in September 2025 remained stable at 9.4 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency contrasts with the 27% gap between Exeter's rate and the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. Locally, 43 crimes are reported daily, translating to one incident for every 107 residents over the month. This monthly exposure metric highlights the frequency of incidents in a community of 138,399 people, though it does not directly compare to UK-wide figures. The population context shows that while Exeter's rate is elevated, it is not an outlier in terms of per capita impact, with crime distributed across a mix of urban and historic areas. Daily crime figures underscore the need for ongoing vigilance, particularly in areas with high foot traffic and student populations.