Crime in Hartlepool: statistics, rates and trends

15,721 crimes were recorded in Hartlepool in the 12 months to July 2026, 170.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,216 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hartlepool has the 30th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hartlepool was highest in the year to July 2018 (17,501 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (15,487). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 Hartlepool 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in robbery (+76%) and criminal damage and arson (+18%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-17%) and theft from the person (-13%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hartlepool

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hartlepool recorded 5,216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (56.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 33.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hartlepool

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hartlepool recorded 2,371 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 15.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hartlepool

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hartlepool recorded 2,298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hartlepool

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hartlepool recorded 1,507 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hartlepool

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hartlepool recorded 1,067 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hartlepool

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hartlepool recorded 631 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hartlepool

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hartlepool recorded 600 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hartlepool

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hartlepool recorded 506 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hartlepool

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hartlepool recorded 500 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hartlepool

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hartlepool recorded 499 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hartlepool

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hartlepool recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 76% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hartlepool

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hartlepool recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hartlepool

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hartlepool recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hartlepool

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hartlepool recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

12 areas within Hartlepool, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Burn Valley had the highest rate (320.2 per 1,000) and Rural West the lowest (41.3). 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 Hartlepool over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hartlepool 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.

Hartlepool has an estimated population of 92,097. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hartlepool 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 Hartlepool. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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