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Devon and Cornwall Police · Devon

Car Theft & Vehicle Crime in Exeter

Live street-level vehicle crime for Exeter from Devon and Cornwall Police: how many incidents were recorded near the centre, how that compares with the national picture, and where they cluster.

Exeter (Devon)

Vehicle crime within a 1-mile radius (~3.1 sq miles) of EX11JJ (Exeter)

Devon & CornwallLatest police data: August 2026

Police.uk publishes each month's records about two months later, so this is as fresh as official data gets.

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Vehicle crime riskMODERATE
6incidents in August

1.9 per square mile

LowModerateHighSevere

About 4.3× the England & Wales average of 0.45 per sq mile a month

How we work this out

Incidents per square mile a month: Low under 1, Moderate 1 to 3, High 3 to 8, Severe 8 or more. The England & Wales average (0.45) includes countryside, so most towns sit above it. Source: ONS Crime in England and Wales, year ending March 2026: 312,250 police recorded vehicle offences.

Month on monthFalling
-1vs July 2026
June
16
July
7
August
6
Police outcomes
33.3%closed with no suspect identified
Under investigation3
Investigation complete; no suspect identified2
Unable to prosecute suspect1

Recent cases are often still under investigation, so this figure tends to rise as months close.

Where it happened

Every vehicle crime pinned in the last 3 months. The bigger the dot, the more reports at that spot. Zoom in with two fingers or Ctrl + scroll.

Most reported streets

Last 3 months (June–August)

1Hospitalnear EX2 5DW
2
2On or near Palace Gate
2
3On or near Powderham Crescent
2
4On or near Preston Street
2
5On or near Beaufort Road
1

Police.uk pins each crime to an anonymised point near where it happened, not an exact address.

Security checklist

Matched to this area's risk level

  • Use a Faraday pouch or box for keyless car fobs to block relay signal amplifiers.
  • Fit a Sold Secure / Thatcham-approved steering wheel lock as a highly visible mechanical deterrent.
  • Double-check all windows, sunroof, and wing mirror retraction before walking away.
  • Never leave valuables, dashcams, or coats visible inside the cabin.

Car theft in Exeter: quick answers

How common is car theft in Exeter?

In August 2026, police recorded 6 vehicle crimes within a mile of central Exeter (1.9 per square mile, rated moderate). About 4.3× the England & Wales average of 0.45 per sq mile a month. Search your own postcode above for your street.

Which police force covers vehicle crime in Exeter?

Exeter is policed by Devon and Cornwall Police. Report a theft that's happening now on 999; otherwise report online through the force's website or call 101.

Where does car crime happen most in Exeter?

The most reported streets above cover the last three months of police.uk data. Police.uk pins each crime to an anonymised point near where it happened, so treat them as areas to be careful in rather than exact addresses.

Understanding Exeter Vehicle Crime Data

When checking vehicle crime statistics for Exeter, it's worth knowing how Devon and Cornwall Police and the Home Office actually log these things. Our radar displays data that groups three lovely types of offences under one big "Vehicle Crime" category:

  • Theft of a motor vehicle: The classic "dude, where's my car?" complete theft of a vehicle.
  • Theft from a motor vehicle: Break-ins where stuff is nicked from the cabin, or parts are stripped from the exterior.
  • Vehicle interference: Attempted break-ins, tampering, or chancers trying door handles without getting in.

Because the police lump these together to protect victim privacy, we can't magically separate a smashed window from a stolen car in the stats. But hey, our hyper-local analysis still gives you a solid read on the overall sketchy-ness of any street in Exeter.

Protecting Your Ride (and Your Wallet)

If you're researching Exeter because you're about to buy a used car locally, do yourself a solid and check its history before handing over the cash. Run it through our Free MOT History Check to make sure it's not a complete lemon.

Also, if you're venturing across Devon or the rest of the UK, why pay premium prices for fuel? Roger that, we've got you covered. Check the latest prices on our UK Petrol & Fuel Price Tracker and save those extra quid for a decent coffee.

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