Crime statistics are often a key consideration when we’re exploring new areas to move to. They’re a major contributing factor to where you choose to plant roots for your family, or where you decide to set up your fledgling businesses.
At Churchill Support Services, we’re acutely aware of how these figures can play a role in your decision, and as a leading provider of tailormade security solutions, it falls to us to present that data in an easily digestible format.
We’ll be taking our data straight from local police forces in the North East, as well as using independent resources to give you a completely objective look at crime in the region.
We’ll break it down into key areas of the North East, looking at the major towns and cities that make up the area’s crime rate, as well as examine the safest and more dangerous parts of England’s north east.
We’ve collated crimes of all types across multiple different regions of the North East, and used data from both local police reports and independent aggregator Brighton Analytics. We’ll then display this as a ratio of the number of people per 1,000 residents that could reasonably expect to be a victim of crime.
This is how we’ll display the statistics for each region and major town and city in the North East, as well as draw attention to any standout statistics or facts that we know you’ll want to know in order to make the best decision for your home or business security.
Let’s first start by looking at the region as a whole, and how it stacks up against the rest of the country.
One of the most historic corners of England, the North East plays host to some of the country’s most instantly recognisable landmarks. Visitors and residents alike are welcomed with open arms by the region’s iconic Angel of the North, before experiencing a self-contained view of England’s rich tapestry of history, culture and architecture.
From the last bastions of the infamous Hadrian’s Wall, to the raucous crowds of St James’ Park and the Stadium of Light, England’s North East is part of the quintessential experience of the UK, and offers a broad spectrum to entice those from all walks of life.
However, what’s not as appealing is the overall crime rate for this corner of England’s patchwork landscape. The overall rate of crime in the North East is 104.3 crimes per 1000 people, or just over 1 in 10 – quite a startling statistic when contrasted with the obvious attractions of the area.
Looking closer, the most common crime is violent crime, with 106,450 incidents occurring over the last year of police data. There’s also alarming figures in theft (75,427 incidents) and criminal damage (39,409 incidents) that all show a worrying rise over what we saw in 2021.
While these statistics naturally paint a less than pretty picture, they do help to underscore the need for effective North East security, and help provide us with a general overview.
Plus, as we look more in-depth at specific places in the region, we can use this data as a point of comparison to give you a comprehensive view of where the safest (and most dangerous) areas in the North East.
Perhaps most famous for its pivotal involvement in the chemical industry, the unassuming town of Billingham strikes a delicate balance between heavy manufacturing and green spaces, largely down to its protected wildlife parks and RSPB Saltholme.
However, this industrious façade belies the town’s steadily rising crime rate of 115.8 crimes per 1000 residents. This falls more than 10 points higher than the region’s average, and prompts concerns for Billingham security and safety.
The most common crimes in the town are those of a violent or sexual nature (1622 incidents), but there’s also a concerningly high proportion of antisocial behaviour offences (769 incidents) that highlight the need for caution when considering this parish town for your home or business.
One of Northumberland’s most prominent coastal towns, the parish of Blyth is a former coal mining town that’s since shifted its focus to a brighter, greener future. With the towering turbines along the East Pier, as well as a boost to the renewable energy industry with various centres along the Blyth coastline, it’s a hub for all things clean energy.
What’s not as clean, though, is the town’s record with crime – a staggering 124.4 crimes per 1000 residents, and more than 20 points higher than the average for the North East for the past year of statistics.
The most prevalent offences were violent and sexual crimes (2161 incidents), antisocial behaviour (1397 incidents) and criminal damage (740 incidents), but it’s also important to draw attention to the high rate of robbery in the town.
While 23 incidents may seem low, that’s almost double what we’ve seen across any other area of the North East, meaning security in Blyth is paramount when it comes to protecting your business and livelihood.
One the North East’s premier market towns, Darlington represents a hugely attractive prospect for families and retailers alike. With a past that’s rooted in its railways and merchanting, this rich thread of history continues to fuel the beating heart of commerce and culture in Darlington.
Unfortunately, though, this reputation for strong retail links has meant that the wrong kind of attention is often attracted, leading to a slightly inflated crime rate of 111.2 crimes per 1000 residents, slightly higher than the region-wide average.
Violence and sexual crime (4736 incidents) makes up just over 36% of all crime in Darlington, but there’s also high figures in antisocial behaviour (2707 incidents) and criminal damage (1286 incidents) that prompt additional focus on security in Darlington.
Home to one of England’s preeminent cathedral cities, and a stalwart testament to the country’s illustrious history, both the county and city of Durham are often mentioned in the same breath. They offer in equal measure culture, history and opportunity for those who call it home, and it’s one of the key attractions for those visiting the North East.
It’s this careful equilibrium of heritage and convenience that secures Durham’s lower rate of crime when compared to the area overall – 93.3 crimes per 1000 residents in the resplendent county.
That’s not to say it’s as safe as it could be, however, and security in Durham is still of the utmost importance. There’s high statistics across violence and sexual crime (36,098 incidents), as well as in antisocial behaviour (20,059 incidents) and criminal damage (12,120 incidents) that all show the need for increased investment in Durham security.
As one of the key commercial areas of the Tyne & Wear area, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Gateshead’s only claim to fame is its sprawling industrial park at Team Valley. However, many don’t realise the town is home to the towering Angel of the North, as well as impressive examples of Victorian and Brutalist architecture.
Unfortunately, that splendour is sadly only surface-level, with the town harbouring a crime rate that’s several points higher than the average for the area, coming in at 107.8 crimes per 1000 residents in the area.
That’s predominantly made up by high figures in both violent crime (5144 offences) and antisocial behaviour (3223 offences), but there is a positive spin to be found here. The crime rate has consistently fallen post-pandemic, and shows signs that many of the key areas are becoming better thanks to further police investment, and more robust Gateshead security.
A town with a storied and diverse military history, Hartlepool is perhaps now more well-known for its seaside resorts and coastal tourism, as well as the planned developments that seek to skyrocket the popularity of this north-eastern port town.
What it’s not as renowned for, though, is the safety and security of its homes and businesses, especially with its soaring crime rate of 141.9 crimes per 1000 residents. That’s 36% higher than the overall average for the North East, and more than 70% higher than the nationwide average.
There’s steadily climbing figures across violence and sexual crime (5523 incidents), antisocial behaviour (2799 incidents), and criminal damage (1471 incidents), all of which underscore the need for increased investment in your Hartlepool business security.
One of the North East’s most famous towns, and the largest in the Teesside district, Middlesbrough’s productive past stems from its burgeoning engineering and port industries. It’s now a key centre for both culture and commerce across the southern banks of the River Tees, and represents many people’s first consideration when they imagine the area.
There’s unfortunately a caveat to that renown for industry and trade, though. Middlesbrough has one of the highest rates of crime across the whole of the North East, rising to 186.7 crimes per 1000 residents across the last year.
Alarming figures across violent crime (12,906 incidents) and antisocial behaviour (6580 incidents) represent some of the largest concerns for Middlesbrough security, but there’s equally concerning figures in robbery (449 incidents). While a lower figure than other types of crime, it’s more than 2 and a half times the countrywide average.
A glittering metropolis in the Tyne and Wear area, the city of Newcastle is the epitome of what makes the North East great. Offering vibrancy in its cultural attractions, as well as an infamous nightlife scene, Newcastle’s draws are abundant and clear, regardless of what you’re looking for.
The crime rate, however, doesn’t generate that same positivity. At 124.8 crimes per 1000 residents, there’s much room for improvement, especially given that this is over 19% higher than the region’s overall figure.
The most commonplace offences were violent and sexual crimes (14,123 incidents), antisocial behaviour (10,233 incidents), and criminal damage (4226 incidents) but it’s the surprisingly high rate of bicycle theft (850 incidents) that sticks out – more than double the nationwide average.
Nestled on the southern banks of the River Tyne, the coastal town of South Shields offers a perfect snapshot of life in the Tyne and Wear area. A traditional seaside town that’s been brought to the 21st century, it gives way to wild coastlines and cliffsides that forefront the natural beauty of England’s northern reaches.
This geographical wonder sadly doesn’t offset the crime statistics for the area, though. With a rate of 111.4 crimes per 1000 residents, it goes slightly above the average for the North East as a whole, with rising figures sparking concern for South Shields security.
There’s alarming statistics across violence and sexual crime (3668 incidents) and antisocial behaviour (2571 incidents), although this has stayed relatively consistent across the previous 5 years.
Perched on the northern banks of the River Tees, Stockton-on-Tees is the definition of a traditional market town. Not only is it one of the major shopping areas for the whole of Teesside, it’s home to the largest market hall in the North East, and a warren of streets, shops and independent retailers.
While it’s undoubtedly an attractive prospect to budding entrepreneurs, it’s vital you consider the crime rates before rushing into a move. That’s especially the case for Stockton-on-Tees, with its startling crime rate of 157.2 crimes per 1000 residents.
The most prominent crimes in that ratio are violence and sexual offences (5426 incidents) and antisocial behaviour (2288 incidents), but also of concern are the rates of theft (109 incidents) and robbery (174 incidents), both of which are more than twice the nationwide average.
The port city of Sunderland has come a long way since its maritime roots, with much of the docklands and waterside developed significantly. It’s now a major hub for the whole of the Tyne and Wear area, and development in the city has ensured it’s remained a popular choice for both residents and visitors alike.
That developed has brought with it a slightly amplified crime rate, though, with Sunderland hovering at 114.2 crimes per 1000 residents – around 9.5% higher than the region-wide average. The most common crime, and one that prompts significant concern for Sunderland security, is violence and sexual crime (7974 offences), but there are other soaring figures.
This includes climbing numbers across antisocial behaviour (4950 incidents), criminal damage (3012 incidents) and public order offences (2145 incidents), all of which have a seen a rise in recent years.
Named after the former US president, the quaint town of Washington shares little outside of a name with its American counterpart. Occupying a quiet corner of the Tyne and Wear area, this amalgam of villages takes in everything from modern conveniences to the reserved wetlands of WWT Washington.
Its this charming nature that means Washington has the lowest crime rate of any area we’ve looked at, with a rate of 76.2 crimes per 1000 residents – 26% lower than the region’s average rate. That’s not to say the area is totally crime free, though.
There’s still high numbers across violent crime (2260 offences) and antisocial behaviour (1428 offences), although the majority of these figures all show improvement on the previous years’ numbers.
