Crime in Cowpen: statistics, rates and trends
693 crimes were recorded in Cowpen in the 12 months to July 2026, 101.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 25% on the year before.
Table of Contents
693 crimes were recorded in Cowpen in the 12 months to July 2026, 101.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 25% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 246 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Cowpen has the 1,210th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Cowpen | Northumberland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 693 | 26,302 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 101.3 | 79.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -25% | -13% | -1% |
| Population | 6,840 | 331,420 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Cowpen was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,532 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (693). Over the whole period it fell 55%, 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 | 693 | 101.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 925 | 135.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,099 | 160.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,184 | 173.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,122 | 164.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,177 | 172.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,088 | 159.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,351 | 197.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,532 | 224.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 63 |
| June 2026 | 52 |
| May 2026 | 59 |
| April 2026 | 62 |
| March 2026 | 66 |
| February 2026 | 42 |
| January 2026 | 27 |
| December 2025 | 60 |
| November 2025 | 57 |
| October 2025 | 77 |
| September 2025 | 55 |
| August 2025 | 73 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cowpen 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, other crime, burglary.
The largest increases were in other crime (+18%). The largest falls were in public order (-43%) and drugs (-39%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 246 | 36.0 | 1.05 | -28% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 119 | 17.4 | 1.13 | -25% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 74 | 10.8 | 1.60 | -16% |
| Shoplifting | 50 | 7.3 | 0.88 | -32% |
| Public order | 39 | 5.7 | 0.86 | -43% |
| Other theft | 34 | 5.0 | 0.78 | -28% |
| Other crime | 33 | 4.8 | 2.28 | +18% |
| Burglary | 31 | 4.5 | 1.28 | -11% |
| Drugs | 20 | 2.9 | 0.89 | -39% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 2.5 | 0.50 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 12 | 1.8 | 1.81 | -14% |
| Robbery | 10 | 1.5 | 1.08 | +67% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.9 | 1.07 | -25% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.17 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Cowpen
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cowpen recorded 246 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 35.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Cowpen
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cowpen recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 17.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Cowpen
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cowpen recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Cowpen
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cowpen recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Cowpen
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cowpen recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Cowpen
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cowpen recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Cowpen
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cowpen recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Cowpen
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cowpen recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Cowpen
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cowpen recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Cowpen
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cowpen recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Cowpen
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cowpen recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Cowpen
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cowpen recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Cowpen
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cowpen recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Cowpen
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cowpen recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Cowpen, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cowpen.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Cowpen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bebside & Kitty Brewster | 247 | 54.8 | -46% |
| Croft | 1,500 | 242.7 | +140% |
| Isabella | 868 | 129.0 | +27% |
| Newsham | 803 | 128.6 | +27% |
| Wensleydale | 329 | 103.6 | +2% |
| Plessey | 95 | 31.6 | -69% |
| South Blyth | 475 | 94.4 | -7% |
| Bedlington East | 542 | 91.5 | -10% |
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 Cowpen over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Brierley Road | 42 |
| On or near Teesdale Place | 40 |
| On or near Cowley Place | 34 |
| On or near Supermarket | 32 |
| On or near Gareston Close | 28 |
| On or near Briardale Road | 27 |
| On or near Hall Green | 21 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 21 |
| On or near Greendale Close | 19 |
| On or near Thropton Court | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cowpen 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 | 199 | 28.7% |
| Under investigation | 178 | 25.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 161 | 23.2% |
| Not recorded | 119 | 17.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 1.0% |
| Local resolution | 4 | 0.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 2 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
Cowpen has an estimated population of 6,840. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cowpen sits in decile 1.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Cowpen |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 42.9% |
| Social rented homes | 44.0% |
| Private rented homes | 12.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 79.8% |
Is Cowpen a safe place to live?
Cowpen recorded 101.3 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 Cowpen?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 246 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (119).
Is crime in Cowpen going up or down?
Recorded crime in Cowpen was down 25% on the year before: 693 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 925 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Cowpen?
Cowpen 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 Cowpen. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.