Crime in Washington Central: statistics, rates and trends
1,120 crimes were recorded in Washington Central in the 12 months to August 2026, 104.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Washington Central at a glance
- Crime trends in Washington Central
- Types of crime in Washington Central
- Washington Central compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Washington Central
- What happened after crimes were reported in Washington Central
- Demographics of Washington Central
- Questions about crime in Washington Central
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (326), anti-social behaviour (237) and shoplifting (209) made up 69% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,124th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Washington Central | Sunderland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,120 | 28,197 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 104.8 | 97.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -15% | -1% |
| Population | 10,691 | 288,606 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Washington Central of any year here (1,120 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 25%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,120 | 104.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,176 | 110.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,531 | 143.2 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,472 | 137.7 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,486 | 139.0 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,230 | 115.1 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,391 | 130.1 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,735 | 162.3 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,487 | 139.1 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 79 |
| July 2026 | 105 |
| June 2026 | 90 |
| May 2026 | 107 |
| April 2026 | 76 |
| March 2026 | 86 |
| February 2026 | 76 |
| January 2026 | 46 |
| December 2025 | 131 |
| November 2025 | 109 |
| October 2025 | 106 |
| September 2025 | 109 |
Compared with England and Wales, Washington Central recorded notably more shoplifting (2.3 times the national rate), other crime (95% above the national rate) and anti-social behaviour (44% above the national rate), and notably less vehicle crime (45% below) and other theft (32% below). On the year before, other crime rose from 29 to 44 and anti-social behaviour rose from 204 to 237, while burglary fell from 51 to 31 and public order fell from 101 to 66.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 326 | 30.5 | 34.2 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 237 | 22.2 | 15.4 | +16% |
| Shoplifting | 209 | 19.5 | 8.5 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 94 | 8.8 | 6.7 | +12% |
| Public order | 66 | 6.2 | 6.7 | -35% |
| Other theft | 47 | 4.4 | 6.4 | -18% |
| Other crime | 44 | 4.1 | 2.1 | +52% |
| Burglary | 31 | 2.9 | 3.6 | -39% |
| Vehicle crime | 29 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 0% |
| Robbery | 19 | 1.8 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Drugs | 8 | 0.7 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
2 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Washington Central; the highest is Washington North (125.5 per 1,000) and the lowest Washington East (54.9).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Washington Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington East | 714 | 54.9 | -48% |
| Washington South | 640 | 67.1 | -36% |
| Washington West | 736 | 63.5 | -39% |
| Washington North | 1,373 | 125.5 | +20% |
| Shiney Row | 811 | 72.0 | -31% |
| St Anne's | 912 | 87.3 | -17% |
| Castle | 1,262 | 111.9 | +7% |
| Sandhill | 958 | 90.4 | -14% |
The 10 locations below account for 54% of the crime recorded in Washington Central over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Bus/Coach Station” (187).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 187 |
| On or near Parking Area | 88 |
| On or near Washington Galleries Bus Station | 73 |
| On or near Supermarket | 68 |
| On or near Newstead Court | 54 |
| On or near Parkway | 34 |
| On or near Barmston Close | 32 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 28 |
| On or near Roche Court | 23 |
| On or near Talley Court | 23 |
Of the 883 crimes in Washington Central with a recorded outcome, 41% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 0.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 237 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 365 | 41.3% | 35.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 243 | 27.5% | 4.7% |
| Under investigation | 237 | 26.8% | 11.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 18 | 2.0% | 2.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 0.8% | 5.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 5 | 0.6% | 34.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.2% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.1% | 1.3% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
Washington Central has an estimated population of 10,691 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (25%, against 17%), an older population (26%, against 19%) and more retired residents (30%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Washington Central average decile 4.2 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Washington Central | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 51.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 30.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.1% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 23.3% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 21.3% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 27.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.3% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 25.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.3% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 13.6% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Washington Central a safe place to live?
Washington Central recorded 104.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,124th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were shoplifting and other crime.
What is the most common crime in Washington Central?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 326 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (237).
Is crime in Washington Central going up or down?
Recorded crime in Washington Central was down 5% on the year before: 1,120 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,176 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Washington Central?
About 10,691 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 26% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Washington Central?
Washington Central is policed by Northumbria.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.