Crime in Birtley: statistics, rates and trends
1,163 crimes were recorded in Birtley in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 23% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Birtley at a glance
- Crime trends in Birtley
- Types of crime in Birtley
- Birtley compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Birtley
- Streets with the most crime in Birtley
- What happened after crimes were reported in Birtley
- Population and deprivation in Birtley
- Questions about crime in Birtley
- About this data
1,163 crimes were recorded in Birtley in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 23% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 348 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Birtley has the 641st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Birtley | Gateshead | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,163 | 19,584 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 78.5 | 96.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -23% | -13% | -1% |
| Population | 14,812 | 202,760 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Birtley was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,049 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,163). Over the whole period it fell 43%, 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 | 1,163 | 78.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,519 | 102.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,330 | 89.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,580 | 106.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,906 | 128.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,990 | 134.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,946 | 131.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,942 | 131.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,049 | 138.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 73 |
| June 2026 | 94 |
| May 2026 | 125 |
| April 2026 | 89 |
| March 2026 | 97 |
| February 2026 | 70 |
| January 2026 | 46 |
| December 2025 | 120 |
| November 2025 | 119 |
| October 2025 | 117 |
| September 2025 | 108 |
| August 2025 | 105 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Birtley 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 burglary, other crime.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+17%) and other crime (+11%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-69%) and drugs (-66%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 348 | 23.5 | 0.69 | -34% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 250 | 16.9 | 1.10 | +17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 115 | 7.8 | 1.14 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 76 | 5.1 | 1.04 | +6% |
| Burglary | 74 | 5.0 | 1.41 | -24% |
| Public order | 74 | 5.0 | 0.75 | -18% |
| Other theft | 65 | 4.4 | 0.69 | -31% |
| Other crime | 61 | 4.1 | 1.95 | +11% |
| Shoplifting | 58 | 3.9 | 0.47 | -69% |
| Robbery | 14 | 0.9 | 0.70 | +40% |
| Drugs | 12 | 0.8 | 0.25 | -66% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.5 | 0.49 | -36% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.5 | 0.28 | +600% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.1 | 0.16 | -71% |
Violence and sexual offences in Birtley
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Birtley recorded 348 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 29.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Birtley
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Birtley recorded 250 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 21.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Birtley
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Birtley recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Birtley
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Birtley recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Birtley
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Birtley recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Birtley
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Birtley recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Birtley
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Birtley recorded 65 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 31% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Birtley
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Birtley recorded 61 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 11% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Birtley
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Birtley recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 69% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Birtley
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Birtley recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Birtley
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Birtley recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 66% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Birtley
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Birtley recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Birtley
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Birtley recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Birtley
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Birtley recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Birtley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Birtley.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Birtley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelton and Ouston | 584 | 95.6 | +22% |
| Washington | 4,567 | 87.0 | +11% |
| Chester-le-Street | 2,669 | 110.4 | +41% |
| Gateshead | 12,385 | 106.8 | +36% |
| Shiney Row and Penshaw | 1,101 | 60.4 | -23% |
| Fence Houses | 360 | 59.2 | -25% |
| Stanley (County Durham) | 3,159 | 160.0 | +104% |
| Whickham | 1,438 | 92.6 | +18% |
2 areas within Birtley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lamesley had the highest rate (105.7 per 1,000) and Birtley the lowest (81.4). 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 Birtley over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 61 |
| On or near Parking Area | 51 |
| On or near Beaconsfield Terrace | 47 |
| On or near Lavers Road | 44 |
| On or near Durham Road | 40 |
| On or near Lansbury Close | 30 |
| On or near Holyoake Gardens | 29 |
| On or near York Road | 28 |
| On or near Pine Street | 24 |
| On or near Devon Crescent | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Birtley 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 | 411 | 35.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 257 | 22.1% |
| Not recorded | 250 | 21.5% |
| Under investigation | 216 | 18.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 13 | 1.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 7 | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.2% |
| Local resolution | 1 | 0.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.1% |
Birtley has an estimated population of 14,812. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Birtley sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Birtley |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.2% |
| Social rented homes | 27.6% |
| Private rented homes | 12.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 12.6% |
Is Birtley a safe place to live?
Birtley recorded 78.5 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 Birtley?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 348 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (250).
Is crime in Birtley going up or down?
Recorded crime in Birtley was down 23% on the year before: 1,163 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,519 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Birtley?
Birtley 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 Birtley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.