Crime in Blyth (Northumberland): statistics, rates and trends
4,976 crimes were recorded in Blyth (Northumberland) in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Blyth (Northumberland) at a glance
- Crime trends in Blyth (Northumberland)
- Types of crime in Blyth (Northumberland)
- Blyth (Northumberland) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Blyth (Northumberland)
- Streets with the most crime in Blyth (Northumberland)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Blyth (Northumberland)
- Population and deprivation in Blyth (Northumberland)
- Questions about crime in Blyth (Northumberland)
- About this data
4,976 crimes were recorded in Blyth (Northumberland) in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,450 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Blyth (Northumberland) has the 171st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Blyth (Northumberland) | Northumberland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 4,976 | 26,302 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 122.1 | 79.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -13% | -1% |
| Population | 40,750 | 331,420 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Blyth (Northumberland) was highest in the year to July 2018 (7,828 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (4,976). Over the whole period it fell 36%, 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 | 4,976 | 122.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,681 | 139.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 6,541 | 160.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,352 | 155.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,089 | 149.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,510 | 159.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 6,562 | 161.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 7,221 | 177.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 7,828 | 192.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 517 |
| June 2026 | 429 |
| May 2026 | 455 |
| April 2026 | 402 |
| March 2026 | 375 |
| February 2026 | 251 |
| January 2026 | 157 |
| December 2025 | 428 |
| November 2025 | 452 |
| October 2025 | 461 |
| September 2025 | 513 |
| August 2025 | 536 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Blyth (Northumberland) 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in robbery (+92%) and vehicle crime (+24%). The largest falls were in drugs (-45%) and public order (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,450 | 35.6 | 1.04 | -23% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,061 | 26.0 | 1.70 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 770 | 18.9 | 2.28 | +17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 414 | 10.2 | 1.50 | -27% |
| Public order | 299 | 7.3 | 1.10 | -28% |
| Other theft | 201 | 4.9 | 0.77 | -20% |
| Burglary | 169 | 4.1 | 1.17 | -23% |
| Other crime | 169 | 4.1 | 1.96 | +10% |
| Vehicle crime | 162 | 4.0 | 0.81 | +24% |
| Drugs | 106 | 2.6 | 0.80 | -45% |
| Possession of weapons | 54 | 1.3 | 1.36 | -13% |
| Bicycle theft | 46 | 1.1 | 1.37 | -19% |
| Robbery | 46 | 1.1 | 0.84 | +92% |
| Theft from the person | 29 | 0.7 | 0.42 | +61% |
Violence and sexual offences in Blyth (Northumberland)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 1,450 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 29.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Blyth (Northumberland)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 1,061 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 21.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Blyth (Northumberland)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 770 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 15.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Blyth (Northumberland)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 414 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Blyth (Northumberland)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Blyth (Northumberland)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 201 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Blyth (Northumberland)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Blyth (Northumberland)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 169 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 10% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Blyth (Northumberland)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Blyth (Northumberland)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Blyth (Northumberland)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Blyth (Northumberland)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Blyth (Northumberland)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 92% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Blyth (Northumberland)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Blyth (Northumberland), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Blyth (Northumberland).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Blyth (Northumberland) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedlington | 1,608 | 90.0 | -26% |
| Cramlington | 2,710 | 84.9 | -30% |
| Seaton Delaval | 746 | 92.0 | -25% |
| Stakeford | 658 | 88.5 | -28% |
| Ashington (Northumberland) | 3,568 | 118.6 | -3% |
| Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | 668 | 114.2 | -6% |
| Backworth | 341 | 67.8 | -44% |
| Whitley Bay | 2,393 | 64.9 | -47% |
8 areas within Blyth (Northumberland), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Croft had the highest rate (242.7 per 1,000) and Plessey the lowest (31.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croft | Neighbourhood | 6,181 | 1,500 | 242.7 |
| Isabella | Neighbourhood | 6,731 | 868 | 129.0 |
| Newsham | Neighbourhood | 6,246 | 803 | 128.6 |
| Wensleydale | Neighbourhood | 3,177 | 329 | 103.6 |
| Cowpen | Neighbourhood | 6,840 | 693 | 101.3 |
| South Blyth | Neighbourhood | 5,031 | 475 | 94.4 |
| Bebside & Kitty Brewster | Neighbourhood | 4,509 | 247 | 54.8 |
| Plessey | Neighbourhood | 3,008 | 95 | 31.6 |
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 Blyth (Northumberland) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 395 |
| On or near Supermarket | 283 |
| On or near Oberon Way | 149 |
| On or near Parking Area | 131 |
| On or near B1328 | 87 |
| On or near Back Croft Road | 67 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 62 |
| On or near Puffin Close | 61 |
| On or near Elliott Street | 57 |
| On or near Cottingwood Green | 51 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Blyth (Northumberland) 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 | 1,352 | 27.2% |
| Under investigation | 1,234 | 24.8% |
| Not recorded | 1,061 | 21.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 1,032 | 20.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 190 | 3.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 66 | 1.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 16 | 0.3% |
| Local resolution | 13 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.1% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 4 | 0.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.0% |
Blyth (Northumberland) has an estimated population of 40,750. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Blyth (Northumberland) sits in decile 4.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Blyth (Northumberland) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.3% |
| Social rented homes | 25.6% |
| Private rented homes | 15.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 35.0% |
Is Blyth (Northumberland) a safe place to live?
Blyth (Northumberland) recorded 122.1 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 Blyth (Northumberland)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,450 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,061).
Is crime in Blyth (Northumberland) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Blyth (Northumberland) was down 12% on the year before: 4,976 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,681 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Blyth (Northumberland)?
Blyth (Northumberland) 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 Blyth (Northumberland). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.