Crime in Peterlee, County Durham: statistics, rates and trends
1,712 crimes were recorded in Peterlee, County Durham in the 12 months to July 2026, 133.4 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
- Crime in Peterlee, County Durham at a glance
- Crime trends in Peterlee, County Durham
- Types of crime in Peterlee, County Durham
- Peterlee, County Durham compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Peterlee, County Durham
- What happened after crimes were reported in Peterlee, County Durham
- Population and deprivation in Peterlee, County Durham
- Questions about crime in Peterlee, County Durham
- About this data
1,712 crimes were recorded in Peterlee, County Durham in the 12 months to July 2026, 133.4 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 710 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Peterlee, County Durham has the 616th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Peterlee, County Durham | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,712 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 133.4 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 12,833 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Peterlee, County Durham was highest in the year to July 2023 (2,219 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (1,636). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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 | 1,712 | 133.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,636 | 127.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,972 | 153.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,219 | 172.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,123 | 165.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,091 | 162.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,080 | 162.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,077 | 161.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,148 | 167.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 190 |
| June 2026 | 151 |
| May 2026 | 136 |
| April 2026 | 146 |
| March 2026 | 149 |
| February 2026 | 138 |
| January 2026 | 145 |
| December 2025 | 112 |
| November 2025 | 118 |
| October 2025 | 137 |
| September 2025 | 128 |
| August 2025 | 162 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Peterlee, County Durham 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, criminal damage and arson, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in other crime (+19%) and anti-social behaviour (+16%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-51%) and burglary (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 710 | 55.3 | 1.62 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 261 | 20.3 | 3.00 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 256 | 19.9 | 1.30 | +16% |
| Shoplifting | 119 | 9.3 | 1.12 | -5% |
| Public order | 102 | 7.9 | 1.20 | -6% |
| Other crime | 80 | 6.2 | 2.95 | +19% |
| Other theft | 62 | 4.8 | 0.76 | +5% |
| Burglary | 35 | 2.7 | 0.77 | -30% |
| Drugs | 29 | 2.3 | 0.69 | -28% |
| Vehicle crime | 29 | 2.3 | 0.46 | -51% |
| Possession of weapons | 12 | 0.9 | 0.96 | +33% |
| Robbery | 12 | 0.9 | 0.69 | +200% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.2 | 0.28 | -40% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.09 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Peterlee, County Durham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 710 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (55.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 41.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Peterlee, County Durham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 261 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 15.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Peterlee, County Durham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 256 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 15.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Peterlee, County Durham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Peterlee, County Durham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Peterlee, County Durham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Peterlee, County Durham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Peterlee, County Durham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Peterlee, County Durham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Peterlee, County Durham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Peterlee, County Durham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Peterlee, County Durham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Peterlee, County Durham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Peterlee, County Durham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Peterlee, County Durham recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Peterlee, County Durham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Peterlee, County Durham.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Peterlee, County Durham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horden & Dene House | 2,293 | 206.7 | +55% |
| Castle Eden & Passfield | 556 | 86.9 | -35% |
| Easington & Shotton | 2,376 | 137.4 | +3% |
| Blackhalls & Hesledens | 703 | 143.0 | +7% |
| Thornley & Wheatley Hill | 898 | 152.9 | +15% |
| Trimdon & Wingate | 1,490 | 124.8 | -6% |
| Murton | 1,727 | 158.8 | +19% |
| Dalton & Dawdon | 1,340 | 122.1 | -8% |
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 Peterlee, County Durham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Malvern Close | 106 |
| On or near Burnside | 67 |
| On or near Surtees Road | 66 |
| On or near Chester Place | 36 |
| On or near Clifton Square | 36 |
| On or near Supermarket | 36 |
| On or near Brandlings Way | 33 |
| On or near Stafford Place | 32 |
| On or near Dunn Road | 30 |
| On or near Essington Way | 30 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Peterlee, County Durham 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 | 614 | 35.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 391 | 22.8% |
| Not recorded | 256 | 15.0% |
| Under investigation | 145 | 8.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 95 | 5.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 52 | 3.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 48 | 2.8% |
| Local resolution | 47 | 2.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 29 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.4% |
Peterlee, County Durham has an estimated population of 12,833. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Peterlee, County Durham sits in decile 1.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Peterlee, County Durham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.1% |
| Social rented homes | 29.5% |
| Private rented homes | 18.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 51.8% |
Is Peterlee, County Durham a safe place to live?
Peterlee, County Durham recorded 133.4 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 Peterlee, County Durham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 710 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (261).
Is crime in Peterlee, County Durham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Peterlee, County Durham was up 5% on the year before: 1,712 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,636 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Peterlee, County Durham?
Peterlee, County Durham 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 Peterlee, County Durham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.