Crime in Sunderland district: statistics, rates and trends

28,651 crimes were recorded in Sunderland district in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 8,991 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Sunderland district has the 102nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Sunderland district was highest in the year to July 2018 (44,018 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (28,651). Over the whole period it fell 35%, 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 Sunderland 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 shoplifting, criminal damage and arson, burglary.

The largest increases were in robbery (+33%) and theft from the person (+14%). The largest falls were in drugs (-42%) and other theft (-28%).

Violence and sexual offences in Sunderland district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sunderland district recorded 8,991 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 31.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Sunderland district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sunderland district recorded 4,893 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 17.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Sunderland district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sunderland district recorded 3,455 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Sunderland district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sunderland district recorded 2,888 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Sunderland district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sunderland district recorded 1,967 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Sunderland district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sunderland district recorded 1,402 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 down 24% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Sunderland district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sunderland district recorded 1,365 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Sunderland district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sunderland district recorded 1,138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Sunderland district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sunderland district recorded 1,112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Sunderland district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sunderland district recorded 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Sunderland district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sunderland district recorded 403 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 33% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Sunderland district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sunderland district recorded 232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Sunderland district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sunderland district recorded 148 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 14% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Sunderland district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sunderland district recorded 114 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 23% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

35 areas within Sunderland district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hendon had the highest rate (294.8 per 1,000) and Springwell the lowest (24.6). 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 Sunderland district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sunderland 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.

Sunderland district has an estimated population of 288,606. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sunderland district sits in decile 3.7, 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 Sunderland district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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