Crime in Gateshead: statistics, rates and trends

12,385 crimes were recorded in Gateshead in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,724 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Gateshead has the 289th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Gateshead was highest in the year to July 2018 (18,999 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (12,385). Over the whole period it fell 35%, 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 Gateshead 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 (+42%) and shoplifting (+24%). The largest falls were in drugs (-38%) and possession of weapons (-37%).

Violence and sexual offences in Gateshead

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Gateshead recorded 3,724 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 30.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Gateshead

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Gateshead recorded 2,301 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 18.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Gateshead

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Gateshead recorded 1,284 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Gateshead

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Gateshead recorded 1,120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Gateshead

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Gateshead recorded 880 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Gateshead

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Gateshead recorded 751 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Gateshead

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Gateshead recorded 598 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Gateshead

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Gateshead recorded 586 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Gateshead

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Gateshead recorded 421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Gateshead

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Gateshead recorded 244 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Gateshead

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Gateshead recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Gateshead

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Gateshead recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Gateshead

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Gateshead recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Gateshead

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Gateshead recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Gateshead, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bridges had the highest rate (218.6 per 1,000) and Dunston Hill and Whickham East the lowest (38.8). 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 Gateshead over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Gateshead 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.

Gateshead has an estimated population of 115,978. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Gateshead sits in decile 3.6, more 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 Gateshead. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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