Crime in Northumberland: statistics, rates and trends

26,302 crimes were recorded in Northumberland in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than 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 8,278 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Northumberland has the 184th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Northumberland was highest in the year to July 2018 (36,007 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (26,302). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 Northumberland 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 other crime.

The largest increases were in other crime (+49%) and robbery (+49%). The largest falls were in drugs (-41%) and other theft (-25%).

Violence and sexual offences in Northumberland

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Northumberland recorded 8,278 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 31.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Northumberland

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Northumberland recorded 5,972 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Northumberland

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Northumberland recorded 2,455 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Northumberland

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Northumberland recorded 2,423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Northumberland

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Northumberland recorded 1,931 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Northumberland

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Northumberland recorded 1,208 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Northumberland

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Northumberland recorded 1,170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Northumberland

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Northumberland recorded 980 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Northumberland

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Northumberland recorded 834 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Northumberland

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Northumberland recorded 455 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 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.

Possession of weapons in Northumberland

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Northumberland recorded 209 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 14% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Northumberland

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Northumberland recorded 149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Northumberland

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Northumberland recorded 135 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 11% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Northumberland

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Northumberland recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

114 areas within Northumberland, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Croft had the highest rate (242.7 per 1,000) and Longhoughton the lowest (9.7). 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 Northumberland over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Northumberland 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.

Northumberland has an estimated population of 331,420. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Northumberland sits in decile 5.4, 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 Northumberland. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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