Crime in Darlington: statistics, rates and trends

12,291 crimes were recorded in Darlington in the 12 months to July 2026, 130.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,872 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Darlington has the 124th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Darlington was highest in the year to July 2018 (15,117 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (11,612). Over the whole period it fell 19%, 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 Darlington 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, criminal damage and arson, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in robbery (+54%) and other crime (+29%). The largest falls were in drugs (-48%).

Violence and sexual offences in Darlington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Darlington recorded 3,872 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 31.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Darlington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Darlington recorded 2,918 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Darlington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Darlington recorded 1,246 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Darlington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Darlington recorded 1,161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Darlington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Darlington recorded 790 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Darlington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Darlington recorded 539 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Darlington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Darlington recorded 470 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Darlington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Darlington recorded 464 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Darlington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Darlington recorded 314 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Darlington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Darlington recorded 164 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Darlington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Darlington recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Darlington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Darlington recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Darlington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Darlington recorded 88 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 54% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Darlington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Darlington recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Darlington, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Park East had the highest rate (417.0 per 1,000) and Hummersknott the lowest (35.5). 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 Darlington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Darlington 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.

Darlington has an estimated population of 94,315. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Darlington sits in decile 4.7, 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 Darlington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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