Crime in Backworth: statistics, rates and trends
341 crimes were recorded in Backworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
341 crimes were recorded in Backworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 89 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Backworth has the 827th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Backworth | North Tyneside | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 341 | 19,275 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 67.8 | 89.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -12% | -1% |
| Population | 5,028 | 215,025 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Backworth was highest in the year to July 2024 (477 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (206). Over the whole period it rose 66%, 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 | 341 | 67.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 362 | 72.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 477 | 94.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 296 | 58.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 292 | 58.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 299 | 59.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 338 | 67.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 255 | 50.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 206 | 41.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 33 |
| June 2026 | 28 |
| May 2026 | 23 |
| April 2026 | 32 |
| March 2026 | 26 |
| February 2026 | 18 |
| January 2026 | 9 |
| December 2025 | 34 |
| November 2025 | 40 |
| October 2025 | 33 |
| September 2025 | 29 |
| August 2025 | 36 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Backworth 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 shoplifting.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+18%) and anti-social behaviour (+14%). The largest falls were in public order (-30%) and other theft (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 89 | 17.7 | 0.52 | -13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 67 | 13.3 | 0.87 | +14% |
| Shoplifting | 59 | 11.7 | 1.42 | +18% |
| Public order | 28 | 5.6 | 0.84 | -30% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 24 | 4.8 | 0.70 | -23% |
| Other theft | 22 | 4.4 | 0.68 | -29% |
| Burglary | 19 | 3.8 | 1.07 | +73% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 3.0 | 0.61 | +0% |
| Drugs | 6 | 1.2 | 0.36 | +20% |
| Robbery | 6 | 1.2 | 0.88 | +500% |
| Other crime | 5 | 1.0 | 0.47 | -38% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.24 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Backworth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Backworth recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 26.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Backworth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Backworth recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 19.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Backworth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Backworth recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 17.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Backworth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Backworth recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Backworth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Backworth recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Backworth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Backworth recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Backworth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Backworth recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Backworth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Backworth recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Backworth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Backworth recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Backworth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Backworth recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 500% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Backworth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Backworth recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Backworth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Backworth recorded 1 report 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 75% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Backworth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Backworth.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Backworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shiremoor | 546 | 84.9 | +25% |
| Killingworth | 607 | 61.7 | -9% |
| Longbenton | 1,910 | 71.7 | +6% |
| Seaton Delaval | 746 | 92.0 | +36% |
| Wallsend | 4,820 | 100.8 | +49% |
| Whitley Bay | 2,393 | 64.9 | -4% |
| Tynemouth | 7,165 | 116.4 | +72% |
| Wideopen | 491 | 47.6 | -30% |
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 Backworth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 81 |
| On or near Castle Square | 36 |
| On or near Station Road | 33 |
| On or near Algernon Drive | 18 |
| On or near A186 | 16 |
| On or near Meadow Vale | 15 |
| On or near Sharnford Close | 15 |
| On or near Bayfield | 14 |
| On or near Harlebury | 14 |
| On or near Killingworth Avenue | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Backworth 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 | 123 | 36.1% |
| Under investigation | 75 | 22.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 68 | 19.9% |
| Not recorded | 67 | 19.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 0.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2 | 0.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.3% |
Backworth has an estimated population of 5,028. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Backworth sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Backworth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 67.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 75.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.8% |
| Private rented homes | 10.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.3 |
Is Backworth a safe place to live?
Backworth recorded 67.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Backworth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (67).
Is crime in Backworth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Backworth was down 6% on the year before: 341 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 362 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Backworth?
Backworth 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 Backworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.