Crime in Middlesbrough district: statistics, rates and trends

29,175 crimes were recorded in Middlesbrough district in the 12 months to July 2026, 186.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 9,432 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Middlesbrough district has the 4th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Middlesbrough district was highest in the year to July 2019 (33,920 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (28,363). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 Middlesbrough 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, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+47%) and shoplifting (+43%). The largest falls were in burglary (-17%) and bicycle theft (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Middlesbrough district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Middlesbrough district recorded 9,432 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (60.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 32.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Middlesbrough district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Middlesbrough district recorded 4,798 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 16.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Middlesbrough district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Middlesbrough district recorded 3,090 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Middlesbrough district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Middlesbrough district recorded 2,964 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Middlesbrough district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Middlesbrough district recorded 2,242 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Middlesbrough district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Middlesbrough district recorded 1,232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Middlesbrough district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Middlesbrough district recorded 1,222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Middlesbrough district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Middlesbrough district recorded 1,121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Middlesbrough district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Middlesbrough district recorded 1,006 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Middlesbrough district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Middlesbrough district recorded 863 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Middlesbrough district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Middlesbrough district recorded 631 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Middlesbrough district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Middlesbrough district recorded 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Middlesbrough district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Middlesbrough district recorded 160 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 down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Middlesbrough district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Middlesbrough district recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

22 areas within Middlesbrough district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (503.4 per 1,000) and Marton West the lowest (39.9). 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 Middlesbrough district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Middlesbrough 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.

Middlesbrough district has an estimated population of 156,161. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Middlesbrough district sits in decile 3.5, 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 Middlesbrough district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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