Crime in North Shields: statistics, rates and trends

2,165 crimes were recorded in North Shields in the 12 months to July 2026, 193.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 652 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, North Shields has the 219th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in North Shields was highest in the year to July 2019 (3,114 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,165). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 North Shields 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 other crime (+87%) and burglary (+50%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-45%) and other theft (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in North Shields

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. North Shields recorded 652 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (58.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 30.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in North Shields

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. North Shields recorded 471 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 21.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in North Shields

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. North Shields recorded 313 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 14.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in North Shields

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. North Shields recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in North Shields

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. North Shields recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in North Shields

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. North Shields recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in North Shields

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. North Shields recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in North Shields

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. North Shields recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in North Shields

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. North Shields recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 87% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in North Shields

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. North Shields recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in North Shields

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. North Shields recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in North Shields

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. North Shields recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in North Shields

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. North Shields recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in North Shields

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. North Shields recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

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 North Shields over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in North Shields 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.

North Shields has an estimated population of 11,213. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in North Shields sits in decile 3.2, 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 North Shields. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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