Crime in Birtley, Gateshead: statistics, rates and trends
677 crimes were recorded in Birtley, Gateshead in the 12 months to August 2026, 80.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 28% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Birtley, Gateshead at a glance
- Crime trends in Birtley, Gateshead
- Types of crime in Birtley, Gateshead
- Birtley, Gateshead compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Birtley, Gateshead
- What happened after crimes were reported in Birtley, Gateshead
- Demographics of Birtley, Gateshead
- Questions about crime in Birtley, Gateshead
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (179), anti-social behaviour (150) and criminal damage and arson (66) made up 58% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,820th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Birtley, Gateshead | Gateshead | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 677 | 19,271 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 80.5 | 95.0 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -28% | -15% | -1% |
| Population | 8,407 | 202,760 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Birtley, Gateshead of any year here (677 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 45%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 677 | 80.5 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 943 | 112.2 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 818 | 97.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 902 | 107.3 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,106 | 131.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,152 | 137.0 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,059 | 126.0 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,110 | 132.0 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,226 | 145.8 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 60 |
| July 2026 | 38 |
| June 2026 | 48 |
| May 2026 | 59 |
| April 2026 | 60 |
| March 2026 | 64 |
| February 2026 | 41 |
| January 2026 | 36 |
| December 2025 | 75 |
| November 2025 | 67 |
| October 2025 | 68 |
| September 2025 | 61 |
Compared with England and Wales, Birtley, Gateshead recorded notably more other crime (74% above the national rate), burglary (71% above the national rate) and vehicle crime (32% above the national rate), and notably less violence and sexual offences (38% below) and other theft (35% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 123 to 150, while shoplifting fell from 169 to 47 and other theft fell from 62 to 35.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 179 | 21.3 | 34.2 | -35% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 150 | 17.8 | 15.4 | +22% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 66 | 7.9 | 6.7 | +14% |
| Vehicle crime | 55 | 6.5 | 5.0 | +2% |
| Burglary | 51 | 6.1 | 3.6 | -22% |
| Shoplifting | 47 | 5.6 | 8.5 | -72% |
| Public order | 40 | 4.8 | 6.7 | -23% |
| Other theft | 35 | 4.2 | 6.4 | -44% |
| Other crime | 31 | 3.7 | 2.1 | -11% |
| Robbery | 8 | 1.0 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Drugs | 5 | 0.6 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.6 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Birtley, Gateshead; the highest is Chowdene (146.5 per 1,000) and the lowest Low Fell (45.1).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Birtley, Gateshead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamesley | 1,003 | 102.4 | +27% |
| Chowdene | 1,167 | 146.5 | +82% |
| High Fell | 1,390 | 142.5 | +77% |
| Low Fell | 434 | 45.1 | -44% |
| Windy Nook and Whitehills | 763 | 81.8 | +2% |
| Wardley and Leam Lane | 720 | 82.1 | +2% |
| Deckham | 846 | 87.2 | +8% |
| Felling | 918 | 120.3 | +49% |
The 10 locations below account for 43% of the crime recorded in Birtley, Gateshead over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” and “Petrol Station” (51 each).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 51 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 51 |
| On or near Beaconsfield Terrace | 41 |
| On or near Holyoake Gardens | 28 |
| On or near York Road | 26 |
| On or near Pine Street | 22 |
| On or near Church Street | 21 |
| On or near Motorway Service Area | 21 |
| On or near Cheshire Avenue | 14 |
| On or near Dorset Avenue | 14 |
Of the 527 crimes in Birtley, Gateshead with a recorded outcome, 48% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 0.6% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 150 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 252 | 47.8% | 35.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 134 | 25.4% | 4.7% |
| Under investigation | 123 | 23.3% | 11.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 8 | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 4 | 0.8% | 34.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3 | 0.6% | 5.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.2% | 1.3% |
Birtley, Gateshead has an estimated population of 8,407 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer students (4.9%, against 7.9%), more social housing (23%, against 17%) and fewer residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (23%, against 34%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Birtley, Gateshead average decile 4.0 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Birtley, Gateshead | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.5% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.7% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 51.5% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.1% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 27.6% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.9% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 22.6% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 24.1% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 29.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.8% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 23.1% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.1% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.0 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Birtley, Gateshead a safe place to live?
Birtley, Gateshead recorded 80.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,820th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and burglary.
What is the most common crime in Birtley, Gateshead?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 179 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (150).
Is crime in Birtley, Gateshead going up or down?
Recorded crime in Birtley, Gateshead was down 28% on the year before: 677 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 943 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Birtley, Gateshead?
About 8,407 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 24% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Birtley, Gateshead?
Birtley, Gateshead is policed by Northumbria.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.