Crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed: statistics, rates and trends
1,078 crimes were recorded in Berwick-upon-Tweed in the 12 months to August 2026, 80.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed at a glance
- Crime trends in Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Types of crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Berwick-upon-Tweed compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Streets with the most crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed
- What happened after crimes were reported in Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Demographics of Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Questions about crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (347), anti-social behaviour (235) and criminal damage and arson (136) made up 67% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 603rd of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Berwick-upon-Tweed | Northumberland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,078 | 25,844 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 80.3 | 78.0 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -14% | -1% |
| Population | 13,419 | 331,420 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed of any year here (1,078 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 41%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,078 | 80.3 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,101 | 82.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,230 | 91.7 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,179 | 87.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,226 | 91.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,348 | 100.5 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,479 | 110.2 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,663 | 123.9 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,826 | 136.1 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 95 |
| July 2026 | 86 |
| June 2026 | 68 |
| May 2026 | 117 |
| April 2026 | 111 |
| March 2026 | 95 |
| February 2026 | 63 |
| January 2026 | 35 |
| December 2025 | 90 |
| November 2025 | 107 |
| October 2025 | 97 |
| September 2025 | 114 |
Compared with England and Wales, Berwick-upon-Tweed recorded notably more other crime (73% above the national rate) and criminal damage and arson (50% above the national rate), and notably less vehicle crime (69% below) and other theft (54% below). On the year before, other crime rose from 26 to 49 and criminal damage and arson rose from 97 to 136, while other theft fell from 66 to 40 and vehicle crime fell from 34 to 21.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 347 | 25.9 | 34.2 | -19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 235 | 17.5 | 15.4 | +13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 136 | 10.1 | 6.7 | +40% |
| Shoplifting | 100 | 7.5 | 8.5 | +35% |
| Public order | 75 | 5.6 | 6.7 | -18% |
| Other crime | 49 | 3.7 | 2.1 | +88% |
| Other theft | 40 | 3.0 | 6.4 | -39% |
| Burglary | 28 | 2.1 | 3.6 | -22% |
| Drugs | 21 | 1.6 | 3.3 | -22% |
| Vehicle crime | 21 | 1.6 | 5.0 | -38% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 0.7 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.4 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than Berwick-upon-Tweed; the highest is Blyth (Northumberland) (122.8 per 1,000) and the lowest Morpeth (80.3).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Berwick-upon-Tweed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alnwick | 657 | 99.6 | +24% |
| Amble | 648 | 97.2 | +21% |
| Morpeth | 1,327 | 80.3 | 0% |
| Ashington (Northumberland) | 3,523 | 117.1 | +46% |
| Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | 679 | 116.1 | +45% |
| Stakeford | 641 | 86.2 | +7% |
| Bedlington | 1,578 | 88.4 | +10% |
| Blyth (Northumberland) | 5,004 | 122.8 | +53% |
Of the 3 areas within Berwick-upon-Tweed, Berwick North had the highest crime rate (114.6 per 1,000) and Berwick West with Ord the lowest (52.0).
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berwick North | Neighbourhood | 4,487 | 514 | 114.6 |
| Berwick East | Neighbourhood | 4,605 | 339 | 73.6 |
| Berwick West with Ord | Neighbourhood | 4,327 | 225 | 52.0 |
The 10 locations below account for 31% of the crime recorded in Berwick-upon-Tweed over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Countess Of Buchan Way” (52).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Countess Of Buchan Way | 52 |
| On or near Parking Area | 50 |
| On or near Douglas Close | 37 |
| On or near Westfield Avenue | 35 |
| On or near Supermarket | 31 |
| On or near Turret Gardens | 31 |
| On or near Highcliffe | 26 |
| On or near Northumberland Road | 25 |
| On or near Ivy Place | 23 |
| On or near Greenwood | 20 |
Of the 843 crimes in Berwick-upon-Tweed with a recorded outcome, 31% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 0.9% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 235 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under investigation | 274 | 32.5% | 11.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 263 | 31.2% | 35.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 247 | 29.3% | 4.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 30 | 3.6% | 2.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 10 | 1.2% | 34.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 8 | 0.9% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 0.7% | 3.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
Berwick-upon-Tweed has an estimated population of 13,419 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (29%, against 19%), fewer students (3.8%, against 7.9%) and more retired residents (32%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Berwick-upon-Tweed average decile 4.6 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Berwick-upon-Tweed | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 51.3% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 31.6% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.8% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 24.1% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 23.2% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 26.7% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 21.5% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 17.5% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.6 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Berwick-upon-Tweed a safe place to live?
Berwick-upon-Tweed recorded 80.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 603rd of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and criminal damage and arson.
What is the most common crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 347 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (235).
Is crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed going up or down?
Recorded crime in Berwick-upon-Tweed was down 2% on the year before: 1,078 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,101 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Berwick-upon-Tweed?
About 13,419 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 29% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Berwick-upon-Tweed?
Berwick-upon-Tweed 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.