Crime in Exeter district: statistics, rates and trends

15,026 crimes were recorded in Exeter district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,128 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Exeter district has the 77th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Exeter district was highest in the year to July 2025 (15,692 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (12,293). Over the whole period it rose 8%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Exeter district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+53%) and vehicle crime (+50%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-42%) and drugs (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Exeter district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Exeter district recorded 6,128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 40.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Exeter district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Exeter district recorded 2,273 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 15.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Exeter district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Exeter district recorded 1,467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Exeter district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Exeter district recorded 1,153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Exeter district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Exeter district recorded 981 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Exeter district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Exeter district recorded 869 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Exeter district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Exeter district recorded 396 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Exeter district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Exeter district recorded 387 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Exeter district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Exeter district recorded 376 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Exeter district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Exeter district recorded 308 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Exeter district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Exeter district recorded 290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Exeter district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Exeter district recorded 163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Exeter district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Exeter district recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Exeter district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Exeter district recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Exeter district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Exeter district.

15 areas within Exeter district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St David's had the highest rate (394.4 per 1,000) and Topsham the lowest (47.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Exeter district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Exeter district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Exeter district has an estimated population of 138,399. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Exeter district sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Exeter district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.