Crime in Pelton and Ouston: statistics, rates and trends
584 crimes were recorded in Pelton and Ouston in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Pelton and Ouston at a glance
- Crime trends in Pelton and Ouston
- Types of crime in Pelton and Ouston
- Pelton and Ouston compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Pelton and Ouston
- Streets with the most crime in Pelton and Ouston
- What happened after crimes were reported in Pelton and Ouston
- Population and deprivation in Pelton and Ouston
- Questions about crime in Pelton and Ouston
- About this data
584 crimes were recorded in Pelton and Ouston in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 198 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Pelton and Ouston has the 407th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Pelton and Ouston | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 584 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 95.6 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 6,111 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Pelton and Ouston was highest in the year to July 2020 (716 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (521). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 | 584 | 95.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 562 | 92.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 584 | 95.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 545 | 89.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 521 | 85.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 551 | 90.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 716 | 117.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 569 | 93.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 675 | 110.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 61 |
| June 2026 | 44 |
| May 2026 | 53 |
| April 2026 | 41 |
| March 2026 | 62 |
| February 2026 | 83 |
| January 2026 | 41 |
| December 2025 | 37 |
| November 2025 | 30 |
| October 2025 | 44 |
| September 2025 | 33 |
| August 2025 | 55 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Pelton and Ouston 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, criminal damage and arson, other crime.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+39%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-50%) and other crime (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 198 | 32.4 | 0.95 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 138 | 22.6 | 1.47 | -13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 110 | 18.0 | 2.65 | +39% |
| Public order | 28 | 4.6 | 0.69 | -15% |
| Other crime | 22 | 3.6 | 1.70 | -15% |
| Other theft | 21 | 3.4 | 0.54 | +0% |
| Shoplifting | 21 | 3.4 | 0.41 | +75% |
| Burglary | 14 | 2.3 | 0.65 | +8% |
| Vehicle crime | 11 | 1.8 | 0.37 | -50% |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.5 | 0.45 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.0 | 1.01 | +100% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.7 | 0.48 | +300% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.19 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Pelton and Ouston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Pelton and Ouston recorded 198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 33.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Pelton and Ouston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Pelton and Ouston recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Pelton and Ouston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Pelton and Ouston recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 18.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Pelton and Ouston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Pelton and Ouston recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Pelton and Ouston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Pelton and Ouston recorded 22 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 down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Pelton and Ouston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Pelton and Ouston recorded 21 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Pelton and Ouston
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Pelton and Ouston recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Pelton and Ouston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Pelton and Ouston recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Pelton and Ouston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Pelton and Ouston recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Pelton and Ouston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Pelton and Ouston recorded 9 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 up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Pelton and Ouston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Pelton and Ouston recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Pelton and Ouston
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Pelton and Ouston recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Pelton and Ouston
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Pelton and Ouston recorded 2 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Pelton and Ouston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Pelton and Ouston.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Pelton and Ouston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birtley | 1,163 | 78.5 | -18% |
| Chester-le-Street | 2,669 | 110.4 | +16% |
| Washington | 4,567 | 87.0 | -9% |
| Stanley (County Durham) | 3,159 | 160.0 | +67% |
| Sacriston | 586 | 110.7 | +16% |
| Shiney Row and Penshaw | 1,101 | 60.4 | -37% |
| Gateshead | 12,385 | 106.8 | +12% |
| Fence Houses | 360 | 59.2 | -38% |
1 areas within Pelton and Ouston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Pelton had the highest rate (78.8 per 1,000) and Pelton the lowest (78.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelton | Neighbourhood | 15,579 | 1,228 | 78.8 |
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 Pelton and Ouston over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Hylton Terrace | 43 |
| On or near Parking Area | 43 |
| On or near Orchard Street | 30 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 28 |
| On or near Vicarage Close | 25 |
| On or near Ernest Street | 24 |
| On or near Gairloch Drive | 24 |
| On or near Ascot Place | 23 |
| On or near Brecon Place | 22 |
| On or near Ivyway | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Pelton and Ouston 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 190 | 32.5% |
| Not recorded | 138 | 23.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 137 | 23.5% |
| Under investigation | 42 | 7.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 28 | 4.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 17 | 2.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.5% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
Pelton and Ouston has an estimated population of 6,111. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Pelton and Ouston sits in decile 4.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Pelton and Ouston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.4% |
| Social rented homes | 25.2% |
| Private rented homes | 12.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 |
Is Pelton and Ouston a safe place to live?
Pelton and Ouston recorded 95.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Pelton and Ouston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (138).
Is crime in Pelton and Ouston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Pelton and Ouston was up 4% on the year before: 584 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 562 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Pelton and Ouston?
Pelton and Ouston is policed by Durham. 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 Pelton and Ouston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.