Lowest-crime areas in Exeter
Of Exeter's 15 neighbourhoods, Pennsylvania & University recorded the lowest crime rate, 26 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Central Exeter the highest, 360 crimes per 1,000 residents. 9 of 15 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Exeter neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania & Universityaround EX4 4GX | 26 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | St Thomas Westaround EX4 1LZ | 46 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Exwick & Foxhayesaround EX4 2EH | 56 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Heavitree West & Polsloearound EX1 2PS | 56 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Countess Wear & Topshamaround EX2 7GX | 60 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | St Leonard'saround EX2 4LW | 63 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Pinhoe & Whipton Northaround EX4 8JU | 79 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Mincinglake & Beacon Heatharound EX4 9AE | 82 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Heavitree East & Whipton Southaround EX1 3LB | 84 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | St James's Park & Hoopernaround EX4 6BZ | 110 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Middlemoor & Sowtonaround EX2 7XE | 113 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | St Thomas Eastaround EX4 1FL | 113 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Alphington & Marsh Bartonaround EX2 8SJ | 131 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Wonford & St Loye'saround EX2 6NA | 133 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 15 | Central Exeteraround EX4 3LJ | 360 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of Exeter has the lowest crime rate?
Pennsylvania & University had the lowest recorded crime rate in Exeter from October 2025 to September 2026: 26 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Exeter has the highest crime rate?
Central Exeter had the highest recorded crime rate in Exeter from October 2025 to September 2026: 360 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.