Crime in Bedlington: statistics, rates and trends

1,608 crimes were recorded in Bedlington in the 12 months to July 2026, 90.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 546 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bedlington has the 481st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bedlington was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,736 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,608). Over the whole period it fell 41%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bedlington 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 other crime.

The largest increases were in drugs (+12%). The largest falls were in burglary (-45%) and vehicle crime (-37%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bedlington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bedlington recorded 546 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 34.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bedlington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bedlington recorded 341 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 21.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bedlington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bedlington recorded 183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bedlington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bedlington recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bedlington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bedlington recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bedlington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bedlington recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bedlington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bedlington recorded 68 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 1% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bedlington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bedlington recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bedlington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bedlington recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bedlington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bedlington recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bedlington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bedlington recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bedlington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bedlington recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bedlington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bedlington recorded 5 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 up 400% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bedlington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bedlington recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Bedlington, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bedlington.

3 areas within Bedlington, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bedlington Central had the highest rate (126.8 per 1,000) and Bedlington West the lowest (37.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Bedlington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bedlington 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.

Bedlington has an estimated population of 17,857. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bedlington sits in decile 4.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Bedlington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.