Quick Facts:

• Exeter’s Crime Rate: 69 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Dangerous Areas:
  • St Thomas: 157 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • St David’s: 136 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Mincinglake and Whipton: 90 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Safest Areas:
  • Alphington: 37 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • St Loyes: 46 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Priory: 50 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting.

Source: CrimeRate

Is Exeter Safe?

With an overall crime rate of 69 crimes per 1,000 people, Exeter is the safest major city in Devon. However, caution is still advised since the city is also among the top 20 most dangerous out of Devon’s 403 towns, villages, and cities.

In today’s article, we’ll explore Exeter’s crime statistics, identifying the safest and most dangerous areas. We’ll also share practical safety tips to help businesses and residents enhance their security and peace of mind.

Is Exeter A Safe Place to Live?

Exeter’s crime rate has fluctuated over the past few years, experiencing both increases and decreases during this period. The most common crimes in 2024 were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 4,367 incidents. Between 2023 and 2024, crime has increased from 47 crimes per 1,000 to 69 crimes per 1,000 people. These figures highlight Exeter’s ongoing challenge in maintaining a lower crime rate.

However, some areas within Exeter maintain low crime rates, contributing to the town’s reputation as a safe place to live.

What Are the Safest Areas in Exeter?

In 2024, the safest areas in Exeter were:

• Alphington: 37 crimes per 1,000 people.
• St Loyes: 46 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Priory: 50 crimes per 1,000 people.

Living, working, and running a business in these areas offers a security, convenience, and a strong sense of community. These areas provide a peaceful environment while still being well-connected to the heart of the town, making them highly desirable for families, professionals, and business owners alike.

What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Exeter?

Exeter’s most dangerous areas in 2024 were:

• St Thomas: 157 crimes per 1,000 people.
• St David’s: 136 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Mincinglake and Whipton: 90 crimes per 1,000 people.

Exeter’s most crime affected areas struggle with high rates of anti-social behaviour, theft, and violent crime. These areas experience issues such as property damage, drug-related incidents, and burglaries, making them riskier places to live and work.

Factors like busy transport links, deprivation, and constantly changing population contribute to crime levels, impacting local businesses and residents.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Exeter?

According to CrimeRate, the top 5 most common crimes in Exeter in 2024 were:

• Violence and Sexual Offences: 4,367 incidents (30 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Anti-Social Behaviour: 2,374 incidents (16 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Shoplifting: 1,684 incidents (11 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Criminal Damage and Arson: 997 incidents (6 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Other Theft: 739 incidents (5 crimes per 1,000 people)

Violence and sexual offences were by far the most reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour which is a significant concern across the city.

Is Crime in Exeter Increasing?

Crime in Exeter has been fluctuating since 2022.

• 2021: 59 crimes per 1,000 people.
• 2022: 64 crimes per 1,000 people.
• 2023: 47 crimes per 1,000 people.
• 2024: 69 crimes per 1,000 people.

Although Exeter City Council has prioritised tackling hate crime, extremism, anti-social behaviour, sexual violence, and serious organised crime, the statistics indicate that more efforts are needed to effectively reduce crime in the city.

How to Stay Safe in Exeter

Since statistics show that Exeter’s crime rate remains a concern, we’re sharing practical steps residents and businesses can take to enhance safety:

Tips for Residents:

• Secure Your Home: Ensure your property is well-lit and deter intruders by installing high quality locks on doors and windows.
• Invest in Security Technology: Protect your home by installing CCTV, alarm systems, and motion-sensor lights to help deter burglars.
• Protect Your Belongings: Whether at home or in public, minimise risk of theft by securing valuables and keeping them out of sight.

Tips for Businesses:

• Manned Guarding: Create secure and welcoming environment with fully licensed security guards stationed at your business premises.
• CCTV Monitoring Services: Consider 24/7 professional surveillance and real-time monitoring of your business premises to detect and respond to suspicious activity, and for added peace of mind.
• Keyholding and Alarm Response: These offer swift intervention of alarm activations on your business premises, ensuring continuous safety for employees, customers, and visitors.

Conclusion: Is Exeter Safe?

Compared to the UK’s major cities, Exeter is amongst one of the lowest crime rates, making it one of the safer places to live. However, like any city, certain areas still face challenges with crime, highlighting the need for continued efforts in maintaining safety and improving community well-being. Overall, Exeter remains a relatively safe city, but vigilance and proactive measures are essential to keeping crime rates low.

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