Crime in Lower Teesdale: statistics, rates and trends
704 crimes were recorded in Lower Teesdale in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 24% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lower Teesdale at a glance
- Crime trends in Lower Teesdale
- Types of crime in Lower Teesdale
- Lower Teesdale compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Lower Teesdale
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lower Teesdale
- Population and deprivation in Lower Teesdale
- Questions about crime in Lower Teesdale
- About this data
704 crimes were recorded in Lower Teesdale in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 24% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 263 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Lower Teesdale has the 1,886th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lower Teesdale | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 704 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 79.0 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +24% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 8,912 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lower Teesdale was highest in the year to July 2026 (704 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (480). Over the whole period it rose 31%, 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 | 704 | 79.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 570 | 64.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 530 | 59.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 540 | 60.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 557 | 62.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 480 | 53.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 609 | 68.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 528 | 59.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 538 | 60.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 69 |
| June 2026 | 53 |
| May 2026 | 67 |
| April 2026 | 61 |
| March 2026 | 73 |
| February 2026 | 45 |
| January 2026 | 52 |
| December 2025 | 68 |
| November 2025 | 50 |
| October 2025 | 65 |
| September 2025 | 52 |
| August 2025 | 49 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lower Teesdale 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 other crime.
The largest increases were in other crime (+132%) and other theft (+70%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 263 | 29.5 | 0.86 | +4% |
| Other crime | 93 | 10.4 | 4.94 | +132% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 81 | 9.1 | 0.59 | +14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 74 | 8.3 | 1.22 | +9% |
| Other theft | 46 | 5.2 | 0.81 | +70% |
| Burglary | 37 | 4.2 | 1.17 | +9% |
| Public order | 35 | 3.9 | 0.59 | +59% |
| Vehicle crime | 25 | 2.8 | 0.57 | +25% |
| Drugs | 22 | 2.5 | 0.76 | +100% |
| Shoplifting | 16 | 1.8 | 0.22 | -24% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.1 | 1.16 | +400% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.14 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lower Teesdale
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lower Teesdale recorded 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 37.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lower Teesdale
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lower Teesdale recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 132% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lower Teesdale
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lower Teesdale recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lower Teesdale
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lower Teesdale recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lower Teesdale
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lower Teesdale recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 70% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lower Teesdale
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lower Teesdale recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lower Teesdale
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lower Teesdale recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lower Teesdale
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lower Teesdale recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lower Teesdale
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lower Teesdale recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lower Teesdale
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lower Teesdale recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lower Teesdale
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lower Teesdale recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lower Teesdale
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lower Teesdale recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lower Teesdale
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lower Teesdale recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Lower Teesdale, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lower Teesdale.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lower Teesdale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnard Castle | 297 | 65.4 | -17% |
| Evenwood | 364 | 82.2 | +4% |
| West Auckland | 1,794 | 153.9 | +95% |
| Upper Teesdale | 256 | 51.1 | -35% |
| Bishop Auckland | 3,208 | 193.0 | +144% |
| Shildon & Dene Valley | 2,979 | 161.2 | +104% |
| Aycliffe North & Middridge | 1,115 | 94.1 | +19% |
| Crook | 1,540 | 107.8 | +36% |
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 Lower Teesdale over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Burnhope Way | 152 |
| On or near Grangefields | 31 |
| On or near Supermarket | 29 |
| On or near Parking Area | 26 |
| On or near Watery Close | 19 |
| On or near Front Street | 18 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 17 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 15 |
| On or near Bleak Terrace | 14 |
| On or near Market Place | 13 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lower Teesdale 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 | 209 | 29.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 181 | 25.7% |
| Under investigation | 84 | 11.9% |
| Not recorded | 81 | 11.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 52 | 7.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 43 | 6.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 21 | 3.0% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 1.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 1.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 1.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.3% |
Lower Teesdale has an estimated population of 8,912. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lower Teesdale sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lower Teesdale |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 12.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.4% |
| Social rented homes | 12.6% |
| Private rented homes | 20.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
Is Lower Teesdale a safe place to live?
Lower Teesdale recorded 79.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Lower Teesdale?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by other crime (93).
Is crime in Lower Teesdale going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lower Teesdale was up 24% on the year before: 704 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 570 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lower Teesdale?
Lower Teesdale 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 Lower Teesdale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.