Crime in Washington Central: statistics, rates and trends
1,136 crimes were recorded in Washington Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- 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
- Population and deprivation in Washington Central
- Questions about crime in Washington Central
- About this data
1,136 crimes were recorded in Washington Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 326 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Washington Central has the 1,082nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Washington Central | Sunderland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,136 | 28,651 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 106.3 | 99.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -15% | -1% |
| Population | 10,691 | 288,606 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Washington Central was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,730 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,136). Over the whole period it fell 25%, 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 | 1,136 | 106.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,199 | 112.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,557 | 145.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,441 | 134.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,475 | 138.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,241 | 116.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,407 | 131.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,730 | 161.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,505 | 140.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2025 | 95 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Washington Central 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in other crime (+42%) and anti-social behaviour (+10%). The largest falls were in public order (-37%) and other theft (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 326 | 30.5 | 0.89 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 232 | 21.7 | 1.41 | +10% |
| Shoplifting | 224 | 21.0 | 2.53 | -3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 94 | 8.8 | 1.30 | +8% |
| Public order | 66 | 6.2 | 0.93 | -37% |
| Other crime | 44 | 4.1 | 1.95 | +42% |
| Other theft | 44 | 4.1 | 0.64 | -32% |
| Burglary | 38 | 3.6 | 1.00 | -19% |
| Vehicle crime | 29 | 2.7 | 0.55 | +0% |
| Robbery | 20 | 1.9 | 1.38 | +122% |
| Drugs | 8 | 0.7 | 0.23 | -53% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.4 | 0.45 | -20% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.4 | 0.22 | -33% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.3 | 0.29 | -73% |
Violence and sexual offences in Washington Central
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Washington Central recorded 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 28.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Washington Central
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Washington Central recorded 232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 20.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Washington Central
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Washington Central recorded 224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 19.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Washington Central
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Washington Central recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Washington Central
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Washington Central recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Washington Central
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Washington Central recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Washington Central
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Washington Central recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Washington Central
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Washington Central recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Washington Central
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Washington Central recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Washington Central
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Washington Central recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 122% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Washington Central
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Washington Central recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Washington Central
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Washington Central recorded 4 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 down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Washington Central
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Washington Central recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Washington Central
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Washington Central recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 73% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Washington Central, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Washington Central.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Washington Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington East | 748 | 57.5 | -46% |
| Washington South | 672 | 70.5 | -34% |
| Washington West | 748 | 64.5 | -39% |
| Washington North | 1,420 | 129.8 | +22% |
| Shiney Row | 804 | 71.4 | -33% |
| St Anne's | 948 | 90.8 | -15% |
| Castle | 1,272 | 112.8 | +6% |
| Sandhill | 945 | 89.2 | -16% |
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 Washington Central over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 194 |
| On or near Parking Area | 85 |
| On or near Washington Galleries Bus Station | 78 |
| On or near Supermarket | 76 |
| On or near Newstead Court | 53 |
| On or near Barmston Close | 34 |
| On or near Parkway | 34 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 30 |
| On or near Lindisfarne | 24 |
| On or near Roche Court | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Washington Central 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 | 367 | 32.3% |
| Under investigation | 254 | 22.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 234 | 20.6% |
| Not recorded | 232 | 20.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 26 | 2.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 1.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 4 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.4% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.2% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.1% |
Washington Central has an estimated population of 10,691. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Washington Central sits in decile 4.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Washington Central |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.3% |
| Social rented homes | 25.3% |
| Private rented homes | 13.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 13.6% |
Is Washington Central a safe place to live?
Washington Central recorded 106.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Washington Central?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (232).
Is crime in Washington Central going up or down?
Recorded crime in Washington Central was down 5% on the year before: 1,136 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,199 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Washington Central?
Washington Central is policed by Northumbria. 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 Washington Central. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.