Crime in Middlesbrough: statistics, rates and trends

30,334 crimes were recorded in Middlesbrough in the 12 months to July 2026, 187.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 9,791 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Middlesbrough has the 17th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Middlesbrough was highest in the year to July 2022 (34,961 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (29,484). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 Middlesbrough 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, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+48%) and shoplifting (+43%). The largest falls were in burglary (-17%) and bicycle theft (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Middlesbrough

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Middlesbrough recorded 9,791 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (60.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 32.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Middlesbrough

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Middlesbrough recorded 5,073 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 16.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Middlesbrough

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Middlesbrough recorded 3,215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Middlesbrough

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Middlesbrough recorded 3,050 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Middlesbrough

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Middlesbrough recorded 2,292 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Middlesbrough

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Middlesbrough recorded 1,293 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Middlesbrough

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Middlesbrough recorded 1,268 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Middlesbrough

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Middlesbrough recorded 1,147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Middlesbrough

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Middlesbrough recorded 1,067 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Middlesbrough

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Middlesbrough recorded 903 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Middlesbrough

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Middlesbrough recorded 645 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Middlesbrough

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Middlesbrough recorded 294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Middlesbrough

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Middlesbrough recorded 164 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Middlesbrough

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Middlesbrough recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

21 areas within Middlesbrough, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (503.4 per 1,000) and Marton West the lowest (39.9). 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 Middlesbrough over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Middlesbrough 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.

Middlesbrough has an estimated population of 162,207. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Middlesbrough sits in decile 3.5, 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 Middlesbrough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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