Crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham: statistics, rates and trends
3,208 crimes were recorded in Bishop Auckland, County Durham in the 12 months to July 2026, 193.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham at a glance
- Crime trends in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Types of crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Bishop Auckland, County Durham compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Population and deprivation in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Questions about crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- About this data
3,208 crimes were recorded in Bishop Auckland, County Durham in the 12 months to July 2026, 193.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 990 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bishop Auckland, County Durham has the 220th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bishop Auckland, County Durham | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,208 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 193.0 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 16,618 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,693 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (2,947). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 | 3,208 | 193.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,986 | 179.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,070 | 184.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,947 | 177.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,354 | 201.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,276 | 197.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,683 | 221.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,568 | 214.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,693 | 222.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 326 |
| June 2026 | 331 |
| May 2026 | 283 |
| April 2026 | 269 |
| March 2026 | 269 |
| February 2026 | 226 |
| January 2026 | 297 |
| December 2025 | 233 |
| November 2025 | 214 |
| October 2025 | 262 |
| September 2025 | 232 |
| August 2025 | 266 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bishop Auckland, County Durham 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 shoplifting (+54%) and vehicle crime (+42%). The largest falls were in burglary (-17%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 990 | 59.6 | 1.74 | +1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 707 | 42.5 | 2.77 | +3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 390 | 23.5 | 3.46 | -6% |
| Shoplifting | 358 | 21.5 | 2.60 | +54% |
| Public order | 207 | 12.5 | 1.87 | +20% |
| Other theft | 115 | 6.9 | 1.08 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 111 | 6.7 | 1.36 | +42% |
| Burglary | 110 | 6.6 | 1.87 | -17% |
| Other crime | 81 | 4.9 | 2.31 | +12% |
| Drugs | 61 | 3.7 | 1.12 | +11% |
| Possession of weapons | 27 | 1.6 | 1.67 | +50% |
| Theft from the person | 23 | 1.4 | 0.82 | +64% |
| Robbery | 22 | 1.3 | 0.98 | +214% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.4 | 0.44 | -14% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 990 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (59.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 30.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 707 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 390 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 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 Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 214% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 6 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 14% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bishop Auckland, County Durham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bishop Auckland, County Durham |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Auckland | 1,794 | 153.9 | -20% |
| Shildon & Dene Valley | 2,979 | 161.2 | -17% |
| Willington & Hunwick | 1,202 | 128.6 | -33% |
| Spennymoor | 1,365 | 126.9 | -34% |
| Aycliffe North & Middridge | 1,115 | 94.1 | -51% |
| Chilton | 765 | 153.6 | -20% |
| Aycliffe South | 2,589 | 163.1 | -16% |
| Crook | 1,540 | 107.8 | -44% |
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 Bishop Auckland, County Durham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 309 |
| On or near Parking Area | 182 |
| On or near A6072 | 112 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 100 |
| On or near Market Place | 71 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 62 |
| On or near Weardale Drive | 48 |
| On or near Dent Street | 47 |
| On or near Gudmunsen Avenue | 46 |
| On or near Taylor Square | 46 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bishop Auckland, County Durham 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 928 | 28.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 877 | 27.3% |
| Not recorded | 707 | 22.0% |
| Under investigation | 250 | 7.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 168 | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 60 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 60 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 51 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 37 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 22 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 17 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 17 | 0.5% |
Bishop Auckland, County Durham has an estimated population of 16,618. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bishop Auckland, County Durham sits in decile 2.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bishop Auckland, County Durham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.0% |
| Social rented homes | 20.7% |
| Private rented homes | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 26.8% |
Is Bishop Auckland, County Durham a safe place to live?
Bishop Auckland, County Durham recorded 193.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Bishop Auckland, County Durham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 990 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (707).
Is crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bishop Auckland, County Durham was up 7% on the year before: 3,208 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,986 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bishop Auckland, County Durham?
Bishop Auckland, County Durham is policed by Durham. 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 Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.