Crime in the Durham Police area: statistics, rates and trends
78,271 crimes were recorded in the Durham Police area in the 12 months to July 2026, 120.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in the Durham Police area at a glance
- Crime trends in the Durham Police area
- Types of crime in the Durham Police area
- The Durham Police area compared with nearby police force areas
- Areas within the Durham Police area
- What happened after crimes were reported in the Durham Police area
- Population and deprivation in the Durham Police area
- Questions about crime in the Durham Police area
- About this data
78,271 crimes were recorded in the Durham Police area in the 12 months to July 2026, 120.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 26,193 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 42 police force areas covered by this site, the Durham Police area has the 4th highest crime rate.
| Measure | the Durham Police area | England | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 78,271 | 5,360,756 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 120.3 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 650,500 | 55,610,437 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in the Durham Police area was highest in the year to July 2020 (82,444 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (72,619). 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 | 78,271 | 120.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 72,619 | 111.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 74,050 | 113.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 78,332 | 120.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 77,524 | 119.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 76,534 | 117.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 82,444 | 126.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 78,634 | 120.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 81,516 | 125.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 7,876 |
| June 2026 | 7,017 |
| May 2026 | 7,350 |
| April 2026 | 6,767 |
| March 2026 | 6,735 |
| February 2026 | 5,689 |
| January 2026 | 5,663 |
| December 2025 | 5,835 |
| November 2025 | 6,104 |
| October 2025 | 6,584 |
| September 2025 | 6,098 |
| August 2025 | 6,553 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in the Durham Police area 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, criminal damage and arson, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in robbery (+50%) and theft from the person (+25%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-15%) and drugs (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 26,193 | 40.3 | 1.18 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 15,445 | 23.7 | 1.55 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 9,187 | 14.1 | 2.08 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 7,908 | 12.2 | 1.47 | +14% |
| Public order | 4,865 | 7.5 | 1.13 | +7% |
| Other theft | 3,647 | 5.6 | 0.88 | +7% |
| Burglary | 3,041 | 4.7 | 1.32 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 2,662 | 4.1 | 0.83 | +11% |
| Other crime | 2,446 | 3.8 | 1.78 | +15% |
| Drugs | 1,358 | 2.1 | 0.64 | -13% |
| Possession of weapons | 594 | 0.9 | 0.94 | +13% |
| Robbery | 430 | 0.7 | 0.49 | +50% |
| Bicycle theft | 248 | 0.4 | 0.46 | -15% |
| Theft from the person | 247 | 0.4 | 0.22 | +25% |
Violence and sexual offences in the Durham Police area
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. The Durham Police area recorded 26,193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 33.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in the Durham Police area
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. The Durham Police area recorded 15,445 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 19.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in the Durham Police area
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. The Durham Police area recorded 9,187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in the Durham Police area
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. The Durham Police area recorded 7,908 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in the Durham Police area
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. The Durham Police area recorded 4,865 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in the Durham Police area
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. The Durham Police area recorded 3,647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in the Durham Police area
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. The Durham Police area recorded 3,041 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in the Durham Police area
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. The Durham Police area recorded 2,662 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in the Durham Police area
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. The Durham Police area recorded 2,446 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in the Durham Police area
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. The Durham Police area recorded 1,358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in the Durham Police area
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. The Durham Police area recorded 594 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 13% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in the Durham Police area
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. The Durham Police area recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in the Durham Police area
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. The Durham Police area recorded 248 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 15% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in the Durham Police area
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. The Durham Police area recorded 247 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 up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the police force areas closest to the Durham Police area, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to the Durham Police area.
| Police force area | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs the Durham Police area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 93,468 | 155.7 | +29% |
| Northumbria | 147,979 | 98.0 | -19% |
| North Yorkshire | 59,780 | 70.8 | -41% |
| Cumbria | 39,588 | 77.5 | -36% |
| West Yorkshire | 291,429 | 119.7 | -1% |
| Lancashire | 165,932 | 103.6 | -14% |
| Humberside | 98,156 | 102.0 | -15% |
| South Yorkshire | 165,328 | 115.6 | -4% |
2 areas within the Durham Police area, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Darlington had the highest rate (124.7 per 1,000) and County Durham the lowest (119.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington | District | 112,489 | 14,033 | 124.7 |
| County Durham | District | 538,011 | 64,238 | 119.4 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in the Durham Police area 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 | 24,165 | 30.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 20,177 | 25.8% |
| Not recorded | 15,445 | 19.7% |
| Under investigation | 6,551 | 8.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 4,320 | 5.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 1,774 | 2.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,666 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1,017 | 1.3% |
| Local resolution | 986 | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 692 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 539 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 469 | 0.6% |
The Durham Police area has an estimated population of 650,500. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in the Durham Police area sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | the Durham Police area |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.9% |
| Social rented homes | 19.3% |
| Private rented homes | 17.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 15.9% |
Is the Durham Police area a safe place to live?
The Durham Police area recorded 120.3 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 the Durham Police area?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 26,193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (15,445).
Is crime in the Durham Police area going up or down?
Recorded crime in the Durham Police area was up 8% on the year before: 78,271 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 72,619 in the previous 12 months.
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 the Durham Police area. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.