New Community Safety Charter developed by partners in Exeter

A new Community Safety Charter highlighting the steps being taken to ensure Exeter remains safe and welcoming has been developed by key partners in the city.

Partners want to reassure businesses and residents everything is being done to make people feel safe in the city centre. 

The Community Safety Charter unites partners in a shared commitment to ensure Exeter remains a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.  

The Charter has been developed by partners including Exeter City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, InExeter, St Petrock’s, CoLab, Exeter Cathedral, University of Exeter, Exeter College and Exeter Business Against Crime.  

Recent figures reveal that crime is falling in the city centre. Comparing 2025 to 2024, recorded crime fell by 11 per cent, anti-social behaviour fell by 21 per cent and shop theft fell by 28 per cent. 

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) can impact on residents, visitors, workers, students and the business community.  

By acknowledging challenges and working together, partners in the city are delivering effective, compassionate and lasting solutions for Exeter.  

Cllr Laura Wright, Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor for Community Safety and City Centre, said: “Exeter is a very safe and welcoming city, but people often highlight anti-social behaviour as a concern, and this is something we take very seriously. We’ve listened to the concerns and are acting on them.  

“The city council and its partners have instigated important and effective projects to improve how people feel about safety in the city.  

“These include increasing the number of CCTV cameras and staffing within the Control Room, launching a jointly funded Community Safety Team for the city centre, continuing the use of our Public Spaces Protection Order and introducing the yellow ‘Need Help’ signs.” 

Cllr Wright said residents and students are encouraged to save the Control Room number - 01392 665008 - on their mobile phones.  

She added: “The council made a significant investment of £335,000 in community safety, by making the Community Safety Team permanent and expanding the team, to cover the whole of Exeter.  This decision was made, as safety was raised as an area of concern from the residents’ survey. 

“The Community Safety Charter is a real commitment by key partners to continuing working to make sure we can quickly deal with any issues and focus on solutions. 

“Exeter is a fantastic place to be at this time of year, day and night, and we are working hard with our partners to ensure that it stays that way.” 

The new Community Safety Charter is a commitment to dealing with anti-social behaviour and celebrates successes that are already being seen in the city centre. It has been signed by Safer Exeter, the city-wide Community Safety Partnership. 

Exeter city centre was recently awarded Purple Flag accreditation. The nationally recognised mark that celebrates a safe, well-managed, vibrant evening and night-time economy that has a diverse offer, good transport connections with a clear focus on safety and wellbeing. 

Nicola Wheeler, Chief Executive of InExeter, said: “Safety sits at the heart of any successful city centre, and Exeter has long held a strong reputation as a safe, welcoming place for businesses, their staff, customers, students and visitors. 

“Being able to come into the city centre, feel confident, and go about daily business is the lifeblood of Exeter’s economy and its sense of place. 

“Exeter is far from alone in facing challenges around anti-social behaviour. But what we can feel genuinely proud of is the collective effort, the commitment shown by partners, and the positive difference this is making for our city.” 

Inspector Nathan Johnson, who leads the neighbourhood policing team in Exeter, said: “Exeter has a well-earned reputation as a safe, welcoming city and we are committed to working closely with key partners and networks to make sure everyone can enjoy the city without fear of harassment, harm or anti-social behaviour. 

“Police have been working with partners to minimise the disruptive behaviour of perpetrators referrals for support and through enforcement, where necessary.  

“As a team, we are always looking for innovative ways to reclaim contested spaces, and we will continue working with partners and networks to implement creative solutions and help build a safer city for all.” 

Anti-social behaviour is being addressed in the city centre by:  

Strong and Active Partnerships - Regular meetings include the police, the city council, InExeter, Exeter Cathedral, Exeter College, University of Exeter, CoLab and St Petrock’s, to better understand the issues and coordinate joint responses.  

 Visible Safety Presence - funded by Exeter City Council, InExeter and the Police & Crime Commissioner Hotspot funding, a dedicated City Centre Community Safety Team patrols the city centre supporting the business community and vulnerable people.   

As part of this funding, Police foot patrols have also increased in the city centre.  This visible presence reassures the public and supports enforcement where needed.  Yellow ‘Need Help’ signs are being rolled out across the city centre, which links back to the CCTV Control Room. 

Targeted Local Action - Area-specific action plans have been developed by InExeter with businesses, community groups, statutory agencies and charities, focused on key areas such as Sidwell Street, South Street, Fore Street and Cathedral Green.  

Smart Use of Technology - Exeter now benefits from more than 300 high-definition CCTV cameras, monitored 24/7. The Control Room communicates directly with the Police and Exeter Business Against Crime members to share intelligence through a secure digital platform, supporting swift action and a successful prosecution.  

Find out more about Safer Exeter: Safer Exeter - Exeter City Council