Crime in Morpeth: statistics, rates and trends
1,369 crimes were recorded in Morpeth in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 21% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Morpeth at a glance
- Crime trends in Morpeth
- Types of crime in Morpeth
- Morpeth compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Morpeth
- Streets with the most crime in Morpeth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Morpeth
- Population and deprivation in Morpeth
- Questions about crime in Morpeth
- About this data
1,369 crimes were recorded in Morpeth in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 21% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 519 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Morpeth has the 567th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Morpeth | Northumberland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,369 | 26,302 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 82.8 | 79.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -21% | -13% | -1% |
| Population | 16,533 | 331,420 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Morpeth was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,005 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,369). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,369 | 82.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,725 | 104.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,950 | 117.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,986 | 120.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,797 | 108.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,005 | 121.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,648 | 99.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,500 | 90.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,709 | 103.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 141 |
| June 2026 | 123 |
| May 2026 | 125 |
| April 2026 | 107 |
| March 2026 | 85 |
| February 2026 | 82 |
| January 2026 | 51 |
| December 2025 | 125 |
| November 2025 | 151 |
| October 2025 | 129 |
| September 2025 | 113 |
| August 2025 | 137 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Morpeth 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 public order, other crime.
The largest increases were in other crime (+117%) and anti-social behaviour (+14%). The largest falls were in other theft (-47%) and shoplifting (-37%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 519 | 31.4 | 0.92 | -27% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 232 | 14.0 | 0.91 | +14% |
| Public order | 151 | 9.1 | 1.37 | -14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 117 | 7.1 | 1.04 | -37% |
| Shoplifting | 116 | 7.0 | 0.85 | -37% |
| Other theft | 56 | 3.4 | 0.53 | -47% |
| Other crime | 52 | 3.1 | 1.49 | +117% |
| Burglary | 45 | 2.7 | 0.77 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 39 | 2.4 | 0.48 | -17% |
| Drugs | 25 | 1.5 | 0.46 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.4 | 0.37 | +20% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.3 | 0.18 | -29% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.2 | 0.22 | +50% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.2 | 0.13 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Morpeth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Morpeth recorded 519 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 37.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Morpeth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Morpeth recorded 232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 16.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Morpeth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Morpeth recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 11.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Morpeth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Morpeth recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Morpeth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Morpeth recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Morpeth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Morpeth recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Morpeth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Morpeth recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 117% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Morpeth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Morpeth recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Morpeth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Morpeth recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Morpeth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Morpeth recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Morpeth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Morpeth recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Morpeth
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Morpeth recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Morpeth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Morpeth recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Morpeth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Morpeth recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Morpeth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Morpeth.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Morpeth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeford | 658 | 88.5 | +7% |
| Bedlington | 1,608 | 90.0 | +9% |
| Ashington (Northumberland) | 3,568 | 118.6 | +43% |
| Cramlington | 2,710 | 84.9 | +3% |
| Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | 668 | 114.2 | +38% |
| Blyth (Northumberland) | 4,976 | 122.1 | +47% |
| Wideopen | 491 | 47.6 | -43% |
| Ponteland | 457 | 36.6 | -56% |
4 areas within Morpeth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Morpeth North had the highest rate (161.1 per 1,000) and Morpeth Kirkhill the lowest (34.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morpeth North | Neighbourhood | 5,827 | 939 | 161.1 |
| Morpeth Stobhill | Neighbourhood | 2,897 | 168 | 58.0 |
| Choppington & Hepscott | Neighbourhood | 5,124 | 297 | 58.0 |
| Morpeth Kirkhill | Neighbourhood | 5,775 | 201 | 34.8 |
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 Morpeth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Howburn Court | 307 |
| On or near Parking Area | 86 |
| On or near Lumsden'S Lane | 83 |
| On or near Chantry Place | 53 |
| On or near Balmoral Grove | 50 |
| On or near Whalebone Lane | 47 |
| On or near Sleekburn | 23 |
| On or near Shields Road | 23 |
| On or near First Avenue | 22 |
| On or near Dark Lane | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Morpeth 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Status update unavailable | 382 | 27.9% |
| Under investigation | 363 | 26.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 345 | 25.2% |
| Not recorded | 232 | 16.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 1.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 10 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 4 | 0.3% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Morpeth has an estimated population of 16,533. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Morpeth sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Morpeth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 53.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 30.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 75.4% |
| Social rented homes | 13.0% |
| Private rented homes | 11.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.1 |
Is Morpeth a safe place to live?
Morpeth recorded 82.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Morpeth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 519 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (232).
Is crime in Morpeth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Morpeth was down 21% on the year before: 1,369 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,725 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Morpeth?
Morpeth is policed by Northumbria. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Morpeth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.