Crime in Shildon & Dene Valley: statistics, rates and trends
2,979 crimes were recorded in Shildon & Dene Valley in the 12 months to July 2026, 161.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Shildon & Dene Valley at a glance
- Crime trends in Shildon & Dene Valley
- Types of crime in Shildon & Dene Valley
- Shildon & Dene Valley compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Shildon & Dene Valley
- What happened after crimes were reported in Shildon & Dene Valley
- Population and deprivation in Shildon & Dene Valley
- Questions about crime in Shildon & Dene Valley
- About this data
2,979 crimes were recorded in Shildon & Dene Valley in the 12 months to July 2026, 161.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,061 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Shildon & Dene Valley has the 359th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Shildon & Dene Valley | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,979 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 161.2 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 18,484 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Shildon & Dene Valley was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,447 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,722). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 | 2,979 | 161.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,722 | 147.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,901 | 156.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,252 | 175.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,294 | 178.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,447 | 186.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,228 | 174.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,975 | 161.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,108 | 168.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 316 |
| June 2026 | 234 |
| May 2026 | 289 |
| April 2026 | 257 |
| March 2026 | 239 |
| February 2026 | 169 |
| January 2026 | 200 |
| December 2025 | 221 |
| November 2025 | 234 |
| October 2025 | 260 |
| September 2025 | 276 |
| August 2025 | 284 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shildon & Dene Valley 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, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in other theft (+58%) and shoplifting (+47%). The largest falls were in drugs (-26%) and burglary (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,061 | 57.4 | 1.68 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 571 | 30.9 | 2.01 | +14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 471 | 25.5 | 3.76 | +18% |
| Other theft | 180 | 9.7 | 1.52 | +58% |
| Public order | 156 | 8.4 | 1.27 | -5% |
| Burglary | 142 | 7.7 | 2.17 | -13% |
| Shoplifting | 115 | 6.2 | 0.75 | +47% |
| Other crime | 100 | 5.4 | 2.56 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 97 | 5.2 | 1.07 | +21% |
| Drugs | 42 | 2.3 | 0.69 | -26% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.2 | 1.23 | +57% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.5 | 0.36 | -36% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.46 | +75% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.3 | 0.19 | -40% |
Violence and sexual offences in Shildon & Dene Valley
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 1,061 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (57.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 35.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Shildon & Dene Valley
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 571 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 19.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Shildon & Dene Valley
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 471 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 15.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Shildon & Dene Valley
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Shildon & Dene Valley
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Shildon & Dene Valley
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Shildon & Dene Valley
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Shildon & Dene Valley
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Shildon & Dene Valley
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Shildon & Dene Valley
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 42 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 26% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Shildon & Dene Valley
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Shildon & Dene Valley
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Shildon & Dene Valley
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Shildon & Dene Valley
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 6 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 40% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Shildon & Dene Valley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shildon & Dene Valley.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Shildon & Dene Valley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Auckland | 3,208 | 193.0 | +20% |
| Aycliffe North & Middridge | 1,115 | 94.1 | -42% |
| West Auckland | 1,794 | 153.9 | -4% |
| Aycliffe South | 2,589 | 163.1 | +1% |
| Chilton | 765 | 153.6 | -5% |
| Spennymoor | 1,365 | 126.9 | -21% |
| Ferryhill | 1,923 | 163.3 | +1% |
| Tudhoe | 1,718 | 160.0 | -1% |
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 Shildon & Dene Valley over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 175 |
| On or near Dent Street | 51 |
| On or near High Street | 44 |
| On or near Heslop Street | 41 |
| On or near Oxford Street | 41 |
| On or near Royal George Close | 41 |
| On or near Close House | 39 |
| On or near All Saints' Road | 38 |
| On or near Drake Avenue | 36 |
| On or near Walter Street | 36 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shildon & Dene Valley 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 | 1,028 | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 818 | 27.5% |
| Not recorded | 571 | 19.2% |
| Under investigation | 219 | 7.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 103 | 3.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 64 | 2.1% |
| Local resolution | 52 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 39 | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 20 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 19 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 19 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 16 | 0.5% |
Shildon & Dene Valley has an estimated population of 18,484. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shildon & Dene Valley sits in decile 1.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Shildon & Dene Valley |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.0% |
| Social rented homes | 22.8% |
| Private rented homes | 21.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 63.6% |
Is Shildon & Dene Valley a safe place to live?
Shildon & Dene Valley recorded 161.2 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 Shildon & Dene Valley?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,061 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (571).
Is crime in Shildon & Dene Valley going up or down?
Recorded crime in Shildon & Dene Valley was up 9% on the year before: 2,979 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,722 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Shildon & Dene Valley?
Shildon & Dene Valley 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 Shildon & Dene Valley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.