Crime in Hartlepool district: statistics, rates and trends

15,999 crimes were recorded in Hartlepool district in the 12 months to July 2026, 163.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,302 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Hartlepool district has the 8th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hartlepool district was highest in the year to July 2018 (17,821 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (15,819). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 Hartlepool 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 violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in robbery (+76%) and criminal damage and arson (+17%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-17%) and other theft (-13%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hartlepool district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hartlepool district recorded 5,302 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (54.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 33.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hartlepool district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hartlepool district recorded 2,374 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hartlepool district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hartlepool district recorded 2,362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hartlepool district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hartlepool district recorded 1,545 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hartlepool district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hartlepool district recorded 1,083 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hartlepool district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hartlepool district recorded 648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hartlepool district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hartlepool district recorded 617 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hartlepool district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hartlepool district recorded 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hartlepool district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hartlepool district recorded 513 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hartlepool district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hartlepool district recorded 512 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hartlepool district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hartlepool district recorded 271 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 76% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hartlepool district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hartlepool district recorded 137 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hartlepool district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hartlepool district recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hartlepool district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hartlepool district recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Hartlepool district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Burn Valley had the highest rate (320.2 per 1,000) and Rural West the lowest (41.3). 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 Hartlepool district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hartlepool 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.

Hartlepool district has an estimated population of 98,180. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hartlepool district sits in decile 3.8, 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 Hartlepool district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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