Crime in Darlington district: statistics, rates and trends

14,033 crimes were recorded in Darlington district in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,410 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Darlington district has the 41st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Darlington district was highest in the year to July 2018 (16,573 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (13,209). Over the whole period it fell 15%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Darlington district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in robbery (+52%) and other crime (+33%). The largest falls were in drugs (-45%).

Violence and sexual offences in Darlington district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Darlington district recorded 4,410 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 31.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Darlington district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Darlington district recorded 3,333 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 23.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Darlington district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Darlington district recorded 1,424 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Darlington district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Darlington district recorded 1,298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Darlington district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Darlington district recorded 882 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Darlington district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Darlington district recorded 667 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Darlington district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Darlington district recorded 552 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Darlington district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Darlington district recorded 538 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Darlington district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Darlington district recorded 362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Darlington district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Darlington district recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Darlington district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Darlington district recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Darlington district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Darlington district recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Darlington district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Darlington district recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Darlington district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Darlington district recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Darlington district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Darlington district.

24 areas within Darlington district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Park East had the highest rate (417.0 per 1,000) and Hummersknott the lowest (35.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Darlington district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Darlington district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Darlington district has an estimated population of 112,489. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Darlington district sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Darlington district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.