Crime in Gateshead district: statistics, rates and trends

19,584 crimes were recorded in Gateshead district in the 12 months to July 2026, 96.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,548 reports (28% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Gateshead district has the 111th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Gateshead district was highest in the year to July 2018 (28,348 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (19,584). Over the whole period it fell 31%, 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 Gateshead 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+41%) and other crime (+33%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-44%) and drugs (-41%).

Violence and sexual offences in Gateshead district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Gateshead district recorded 5,548 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 28.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Gateshead district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Gateshead district recorded 3,928 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Gateshead district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Gateshead district recorded 2,348 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Gateshead district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Gateshead district recorded 1,742 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Gateshead district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Gateshead district recorded 1,324 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Gateshead district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Gateshead district recorded 1,136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Gateshead district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Gateshead district recorded 984 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Gateshead district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Gateshead district recorded 876 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Gateshead district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Gateshead district recorded 742 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Gateshead district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Gateshead district recorded 342 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 41% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Gateshead district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Gateshead district recorded 274 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Gateshead district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Gateshead district recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Gateshead district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Gateshead district recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Gateshead district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Gateshead district recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

33 areas within Gateshead district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bridges had the highest rate (218.6 per 1,000) and Dunston Hill and Whickham East the lowest (38.8). 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 Gateshead district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Gateshead 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.

Gateshead district has an estimated population of 202,760. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Gateshead district sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. 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 Gateshead district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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