Crime in Murton: statistics, rates and trends
1,727 crimes were recorded in Murton in the 12 months to July 2026, 158.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,727 crimes were recorded in Murton in the 12 months to July 2026, 158.8 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 549 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Murton has the 375th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Murton | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,727 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 158.8 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 10,876 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Murton was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,727 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,385). Over the whole period it rose 17%, 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 | 1,727 | 158.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,637 | 150.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,435 | 131.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,466 | 134.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,393 | 128.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,385 | 127.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,438 | 132.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,708 | 157.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,476 | 135.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 169 |
| June 2026 | 139 |
| May 2026 | 195 |
| April 2026 | 151 |
| March 2026 | 142 |
| February 2026 | 153 |
| January 2026 | 117 |
| December 2025 | 139 |
| November 2025 | 125 |
| October 2025 | 124 |
| September 2025 | 140 |
| August 2025 | 133 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Murton 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+27%) and violence and sexual offences (+25%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-25%) and other theft (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 549 | 50.5 | 1.47 | +25% |
| Shoplifting | 300 | 27.6 | 3.33 | -25% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 265 | 24.4 | 1.59 | +27% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 197 | 18.1 | 2.67 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 86 | 7.9 | 1.61 | +16% |
| Public order | 82 | 7.5 | 1.13 | +5% |
| Burglary | 75 | 6.9 | 1.95 | +12% |
| Other theft | 69 | 6.3 | 0.99 | -21% |
| Other crime | 43 | 4.0 | 1.87 | +19% |
| Drugs | 34 | 3.1 | 0.96 | +79% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 1.0 | 1.04 | +57% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.7 | 0.54 | -20% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.6 | 0.38 | +600% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.11 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Murton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Murton recorded 549 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 31.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Murton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Murton recorded 300 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 17.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Murton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Murton recorded 265 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 15.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Murton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Murton recorded 197 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Murton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Murton recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Murton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Murton recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Murton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Murton recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Murton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Murton recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Murton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Murton recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Murton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Murton recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 79% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Murton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Murton recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Murton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Murton recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Murton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Murton recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Murton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Murton 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 down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Murton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Murton.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Murton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton & Dawdon | 1,340 | 122.1 | -23% |
| Seaham | 1,485 | 127.4 | -20% |
| Easington & Shotton | 2,376 | 137.4 | -13% |
| Peterlee | 1,712 | 133.4 | -16% |
| Horden & Dene House | 2,293 | 206.7 | +30% |
| Pittington & Sherburn | 380 | 79.2 | -50% |
| Thornley & Wheatley Hill | 898 | 152.9 | -4% |
| Castle Eden & Passfield | 556 | 86.9 | -45% |
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 Murton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 185 |
| On or near Fife Street | 179 |
| On or near Lansbury Drive | 54 |
| On or near Parking Area | 54 |
| On or near Watkin Crescent | 51 |
| On or near Sea View Walk | 50 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 47 |
| On or near Windsor Drive | 47 |
| On or near James Street South | 45 |
| On or near Wood'S Terrace | 44 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Murton 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 | 524 | 30.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 522 | 30.2% |
| Not recorded | 265 | 15.3% |
| Under investigation | 135 | 7.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 81 | 4.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 56 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 49 | 2.8% |
| Local resolution | 28 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 21 | 1.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 17 | 1.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 0.5% |
Murton has an estimated population of 10,876. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Murton sits in decile 2.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Murton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.1% |
| Social rented homes | 23.0% |
| Private rented homes | 16.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 27.6% |
Is Murton a safe place to live?
Murton recorded 158.8 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 Murton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 549 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (300).
Is crime in Murton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Murton was up 5% on the year before: 1,727 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,637 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Murton?
Murton 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 Murton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.