Crime in Bishop Auckland: statistics, rates and trends
4,344 crimes were recorded in Bishop Auckland in the 12 months to July 2026, 201.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bishop Auckland at a glance
- Crime trends in Bishop Auckland
- Types of crime in Bishop Auckland
- Bishop Auckland compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Bishop Auckland
- Streets with the most crime in Bishop Auckland
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bishop Auckland
- Population and deprivation in Bishop Auckland
- Questions about crime in Bishop Auckland
- About this data
4,344 crimes were recorded in Bishop Auckland in the 12 months to July 2026, 201.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,218 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bishop Auckland has the 12th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bishop Auckland | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 4,344 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 201.4 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 21,572 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bishop Auckland was highest in the year to July 2026 (4,344 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (3,655). Over the whole period it rose 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 | 4,344 | 201.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,043 | 187.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,888 | 180.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,655 | 169.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,852 | 178.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,814 | 176.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,248 | 196.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,063 | 188.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,183 | 193.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 462 |
| June 2026 | 426 |
| May 2026 | 385 |
| April 2026 | 382 |
| March 2026 | 379 |
| February 2026 | 316 |
| January 2026 | 355 |
| December 2025 | 299 |
| November 2025 | 290 |
| October 2025 | 369 |
| September 2025 | 320 |
| August 2025 | 361 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bishop Auckland 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+68%) and shoplifting (+37%). The largest falls were in burglary (-14%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,218 | 56.5 | 1.65 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 957 | 44.4 | 2.89 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 710 | 32.9 | 3.97 | +37% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 472 | 21.9 | 3.23 | -4% |
| Public order | 277 | 12.8 | 1.93 | +21% |
| Other theft | 152 | 7.0 | 1.10 | -1% |
| Burglary | 143 | 6.6 | 1.87 | -14% |
| Vehicle crime | 128 | 5.9 | 1.20 | +25% |
| Other crime | 115 | 5.3 | 2.52 | +24% |
| Drugs | 74 | 3.4 | 1.05 | -3% |
| Possession of weapons | 37 | 1.7 | 1.77 | +68% |
| Robbery | 27 | 1.3 | 0.93 | +170% |
| Theft from the person | 26 | 1.2 | 0.71 | +53% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.4 | 0.45 | -11% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bishop Auckland
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bishop Auckland recorded 1,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (56.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 28.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bishop Auckland
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bishop Auckland recorded 957 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bishop Auckland
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bishop Auckland recorded 710 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 16.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bishop Auckland
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bishop Auckland recorded 472 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bishop Auckland
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bishop Auckland recorded 277 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bishop Auckland
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bishop Auckland recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bishop Auckland
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bishop Auckland recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bishop Auckland
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bishop Auckland recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bishop Auckland
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bishop Auckland recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bishop Auckland
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bishop Auckland recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bishop Auckland
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bishop Auckland recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 68% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bishop Auckland
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bishop Auckland recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 170% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bishop Auckland
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bishop Auckland recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bishop Auckland
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bishop Auckland recorded 8 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 11% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Bishop Auckland, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bishop Auckland.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bishop Auckland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shildon | 1,896 | 176.7 | -12% |
| Willington (County Durham) | 941 | 147.1 | -27% |
| Newton Aycliffe | 3,508 | 132.5 | -34% |
| Spennymoor | 2,848 | 158.8 | -21% |
| Crook | 1,165 | 130.8 | -35% |
| Ferryhill | 1,466 | 174.2 | -13% |
| Brandon (County Durham) | 1,079 | 117.3 | -42% |
| Esh Winning | 534 | 100.7 | -50% |
2 areas within Bishop Auckland, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bishop Auckland had the highest rate (193.0 per 1,000) and West Auckland the lowest (153.9). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Auckland | Neighbourhood | 16,618 | 3,208 | 193.0 |
| West Auckland | Neighbourhood | 11,655 | 1,794 | 153.9 |
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 Bishop Auckland over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 672 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 362 |
| On or near Parking Area | 175 |
| On or near A6072 | 112 |
| On or near Market Place | 71 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 62 |
| On or near Laburnum Grove | 53 |
| On or near Weardale Drive | 48 |
| On or near Dent Street | 47 |
| On or near Gudmunsen Avenue | 46 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bishop Auckland 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 | 1,186 | 27.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,162 | 26.7% |
| Not recorded | 957 | 22.0% |
| Under investigation | 341 | 7.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 271 | 6.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 136 | 3.1% |
| Local resolution | 82 | 1.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 69 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 43 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 32 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 25 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 21 | 0.5% |
Bishop Auckland has an estimated population of 21,572. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bishop Auckland sits in decile 3.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bishop Auckland |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.9% |
| Social rented homes | 20.3% |
| Private rented homes | 17.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 26.5% |
Is Bishop Auckland a safe place to live?
Bishop Auckland recorded 201.4 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 Bishop Auckland?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (957).
Is crime in Bishop Auckland going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bishop Auckland was up 7% on the year before: 4,344 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,043 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bishop Auckland?
Bishop Auckland is policed by Durham. 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 Bishop Auckland. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.