Crime in Benwell & Scotswood: statistics, rates and trends
1,113 crimes were recorded in Benwell & Scotswood in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 27% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Benwell & Scotswood at a glance
- Crime trends in Benwell & Scotswood
- Types of crime in Benwell & Scotswood
- Benwell & Scotswood compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Benwell & Scotswood
- What happened after crimes were reported in Benwell & Scotswood
- Population and deprivation in Benwell & Scotswood
- Questions about crime in Benwell & Scotswood
- About this data
1,113 crimes were recorded in Benwell & Scotswood in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 27% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 367 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Benwell & Scotswood has the 1,569th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Benwell & Scotswood | Newcastle upon Tyne | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,113 | 38,331 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 87.8 | 119.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -27% | -14% | -1% |
| Population | 12,670 | 320,605 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Benwell & Scotswood was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,838 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,113). Over the whole period it fell 39%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,113 | 87.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,519 | 119.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,490 | 117.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,518 | 119.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,420 | 112.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,647 | 130.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,593 | 125.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,801 | 142.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,838 | 145.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 112 |
| June 2026 | 84 |
| May 2026 | 110 |
| April 2026 | 90 |
| March 2026 | 92 |
| February 2026 | 59 |
| January 2026 | 29 |
| December 2025 | 93 |
| November 2025 | 111 |
| October 2025 | 124 |
| September 2025 | 99 |
| August 2025 | 110 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Benwell & Scotswood 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 criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, other crime.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+30%). The largest falls were in burglary (-56%) and other theft (-44%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 367 | 29.0 | 0.85 | -22% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 222 | 17.5 | 1.14 | -21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 115 | 9.1 | 1.34 | -39% |
| Public order | 91 | 7.2 | 1.08 | -27% |
| Vehicle crime | 81 | 6.4 | 1.30 | -29% |
| Other theft | 57 | 4.5 | 0.70 | -44% |
| Shoplifting | 52 | 4.1 | 0.50 | +30% |
| Burglary | 37 | 2.9 | 0.83 | -56% |
| Other crime | 36 | 2.8 | 1.35 | -10% |
| Drugs | 23 | 1.8 | 0.56 | -36% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 0.9 | 0.89 | -8% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.7 | 0.53 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.6 | 0.33 | +17% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.4 | 0.48 | -44% |
Violence and sexual offences in Benwell & Scotswood
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 367 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 33.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Benwell & Scotswood
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 19.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Benwell & Scotswood
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Benwell & Scotswood
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Benwell & Scotswood
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Benwell & Scotswood
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Benwell & Scotswood
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Benwell & Scotswood
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Benwell & Scotswood
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Benwell & Scotswood
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Benwell & Scotswood
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Benwell & Scotswood
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Benwell & Scotswood
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Benwell & Scotswood
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Benwell & Scotswood recorded 5 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 44% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Benwell & Scotswood, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Benwell & Scotswood.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Benwell & Scotswood |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fenham | 1,127 | 100.7 | +15% |
| Wingrove | 844 | 82.4 | -6% |
| Elswick | 2,649 | 145.1 | +65% |
| Lemington | 889 | 91.6 | +4% |
| Denton & Westerhope | 1,400 | 110.6 | +26% |
| Blakelaw | 1,360 | 118.8 | +35% |
| Arthur's Hill | 2,220 | 111.0 | +26% |
| Kingston Park South & Newbiggin Hall | 1,615 | 142.2 | +62% |
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 Benwell & Scotswood over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Howlett Hall Road | 52 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 48 |
| On or near Thorndale Road | 47 |
| On or near Greenside Crescent | 44 |
| On or near Whitfield Road | 31 |
| On or near Higgins Close | 27 |
| On or near Benwell Grange Close | 25 |
| On or near Haig Crescent | 23 |
| On or near Gretna Road | 20 |
| On or near Howdene Road | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Benwell & Scotswood 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 366 | 32.9% |
| Under investigation | 254 | 22.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 244 | 21.9% |
| Not recorded | 222 | 19.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 2 | 0.2% |
| Local resolution | 1 | 0.1% |
Benwell & Scotswood has an estimated population of 12,670. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Benwell & Scotswood sits in decile 2.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Benwell & Scotswood |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 50.9% |
| Social rented homes | 31.4% |
| Private rented homes | 17.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 39.4% |
Is Benwell & Scotswood a safe place to live?
Benwell & Scotswood recorded 87.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Benwell & Scotswood?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 367 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (222).
Is crime in Benwell & Scotswood going up or down?
Recorded crime in Benwell & Scotswood was down 27% on the year before: 1,113 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,519 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Benwell & Scotswood?
Benwell & Scotswood is policed by Northumbria. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Benwell & Scotswood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.