Crime in Central, Middlesbrough: statistics, rates and trends

6,910 crimes were recorded in Central, Middlesbrough in the 12 months to July 2026, 503.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,172 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Central, Middlesbrough has the 19th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Central, Middlesbrough was highest in the year to July 2019 (8,047 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (5,980). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 Central, Middlesbrough 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, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in robbery (+56%) and shoplifting (+35%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-19%) and bicycle theft (-11%).

Violence and sexual offences in Central, Middlesbrough

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 2,172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (158.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 31.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Central, Middlesbrough

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 1,012 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (73.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Central, Middlesbrough

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 824 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (60.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Central, Middlesbrough

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 642 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (46.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Central, Middlesbrough

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 429 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Central, Middlesbrough

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Central, Middlesbrough

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 314 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Central, Middlesbrough

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 313 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Central, Middlesbrough

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Central, Middlesbrough

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Central, Middlesbrough

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 197 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Central, Middlesbrough

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Central, Middlesbrough

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Central, Middlesbrough

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Central, Middlesbrough recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Central, Middlesbrough over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Central, Middlesbrough 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.

Central, Middlesbrough has an estimated population of 13,726. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Central, Middlesbrough sits in decile 1.0, 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 Central, Middlesbrough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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