Crime in Exeter: statistics, rates and trends
14,657 crimes were recorded in Exeter in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
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14,657 crimes were recorded in Exeter in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,979 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Exeter has the 252nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Exeter | Exeter | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 14,657 | 15,026 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 110.8 | 108.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 132,318 | 138,399 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Exeter was highest in the year to July 2025 (15,361 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (12,134). Over the whole period it rose 7%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 14,657 | 110.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 15,361 | 116.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 12,679 | 95.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 12,134 | 91.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 12,183 | 92.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 12,185 | 92.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 13,769 | 104.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 13,677 | 103.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,421 |
| June 2026 | 1,316 |
| May 2026 | 1,279 |
| April 2026 | 1,224 |
| March 2026 | 1,252 |
| February 2026 | 1,150 |
| January 2026 | 1,110 |
| December 2025 | 1,083 |
| November 2025 | 1,138 |
| October 2025 | 1,158 |
| September 2025 | 1,255 |
| August 2025 | 1,271 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Exeter 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 (+57%) and vehicle crime (+50%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-43%) and drugs (-17%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 5,979 | 45.2 | 1.32 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,220 | 16.8 | 1.09 | -15% |
| Shoplifting | 1,454 | 11.0 | 1.33 | -43% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,107 | 8.4 | 1.23 | -1% |
| Public order | 954 | 7.2 | 1.09 | +3% |
| Other theft | 841 | 6.4 | 0.99 | -6% |
| Drugs | 391 | 3.0 | 0.90 | -17% |
| Burglary | 368 | 2.8 | 0.79 | +1% |
| Vehicle crime | 366 | 2.8 | 0.56 | +50% |
| Other crime | 296 | 2.2 | 1.06 | +24% |
| Bicycle theft | 286 | 2.2 | 2.63 | +57% |
| Possession of weapons | 161 | 1.2 | 1.25 | -4% |
| Robbery | 127 | 1.0 | 0.71 | +22% |
| Theft from the person | 107 | 0.8 | 0.48 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Exeter
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Exeter recorded 5,979 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.2 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
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Exeter recorded 2,220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.8 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
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Exeter recorded 1,454 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Exeter
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Exeter recorded 1,107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Exeter
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Exeter recorded 954 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 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
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Exeter recorded 841 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Exeter
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Exeter recorded 391 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Exeter
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Exeter recorded 368 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 up 1% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Exeter
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Exeter recorded 366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 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
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Exeter recorded 296 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 24% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Exeter
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Exeter recorded 286 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Exeter
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Exeter recorded 161 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 4% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Exeter
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Exeter recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Exeter
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Exeter 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 towns closest to Exeter, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Exeter.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Exeter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranbrook (East Devon) | 296 | 48.8 | -56% |
| Crediton | 760 | 91.6 | -17% |
| Exmouth | 2,331 | 64.4 | -42% |
| Chudleigh | 218 | 41.5 | -63% |
| Dawlish | 1,014 | 83.2 | -25% |
| Cullompton | 873 | 71.3 | -36% |
| Ottery St Mary | 259 | 42.3 | -62% |
| Bovey Tracey | 195 | 33.8 | -69% |
13 areas within Exeter, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St David's had the highest rate (394.4 per 1,000) and Pennsylvania the lowest (55.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St David's | Neighbourhood | 9,875 | 3,895 | 394.4 |
| St Loyes | Neighbourhood | 6,899 | 1,017 | 147.4 |
| Newtown and St Leonard's | Neighbourhood | 12,942 | 1,655 | 127.9 |
| Priory | Neighbourhood | 9,693 | 1,174 | 121.1 |
| Alphington | Neighbourhood | 8,559 | 793 | 92.7 |
| St Thomas | Neighbourhood | 10,889 | 983 | 90.3 |
| Pinhoe | Neighbourhood | 13,342 | 1,087 | 81.5 |
| Mincinglake and Whipton | Neighbourhood | 9,353 | 744 | 79.5 |
| Duryard and St James | Neighbourhood | 16,077 | 1,205 | 75.0 |
| Topsham | Neighbourhood | 10,100 | 682 | 67.5 |
| Heavitree | Neighbourhood | 10,267 | 650 | 63.3 |
| Exwick | Neighbourhood | 8,984 | 510 | 56.8 |
| Pennsylvania | Neighbourhood | 11,419 | 631 | 55.3 |
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 over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 907 |
| On or near Supermarket | 742 |
| On or near North Street | 509 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 454 |
| On or near Nightclub | 383 |
| On or near Little Queen Street | 267 |
| On or near Barle Close | 243 |
| On or near Hospital | 227 |
| On or near Rackclose Lane | 170 |
| On or near Cathedral Yard | 146 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Exeter 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 5,303 | 36.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 3,258 | 22.2% |
| Not recorded | 2,220 | 15.1% |
| Under investigation | 1,741 | 11.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 584 | 4.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 505 | 3.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 243 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 239 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 200 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 151 | 1.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 71 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 59 | 0.4% |
Exeter has an estimated population of 132,318. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Exeter sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Exeter |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 69.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.6% |
| Social rented homes | 16.9% |
| Private rented homes | 25.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 |
Is Exeter a safe place to live?
Exeter recorded 110.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Exeter?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 5,979 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (2,220).
Is crime in Exeter going up or down?
Recorded crime in Exeter was down 5% on the year before: 14,657 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 15,361 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Exeter?
Exeter is policed by Devon & Cornwall. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.