Crime in Durham: statistics, rates and trends

6,338 crimes were recorded in Durham in the 12 months to July 2026, 128.4 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 1,880 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Durham has the 135th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Durham was highest in the year to July 2023 (6,462 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (5,162). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 Durham 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, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+65%) and vehicle crime (+49%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-37%) and possession of weapons (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Durham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Durham recorded 1,880 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 29.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Durham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Durham recorded 1,181 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 18.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Durham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Durham recorded 1,132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 17.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Durham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Durham recorded 548 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Durham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Durham recorded 429 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Durham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Durham recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Durham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Durham recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Durham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Durham recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Durham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Durham recorded 149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Durham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Durham recorded 134 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Durham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Durham recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 65% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Durham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Durham recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Durham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Durham recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Durham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Durham recorded 29 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 down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Durham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Elvet, Gilesgate & Shincliffe had the highest rate (167.1 per 1,000) and Framwellgate & Newton Hall the lowest (75.6). 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 Durham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Durham 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.

Durham has an estimated population of 49,373. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Durham sits in decile 7.5, less deprived than average. 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 Durham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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