Crime in Peterlee: statistics, rates and trends

3,014 crimes were recorded in Peterlee in the 12 months to July 2026, 145.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 1,138 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Peterlee has the 75th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Peterlee was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,911 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,897). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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 Peterlee 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 anti-social behaviour (+14%) and other crime (+13%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-46%) and burglary (-35%).

Violence and sexual offences in Peterlee

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Peterlee recorded 1,138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (54.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 37.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Peterlee

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Peterlee recorded 504 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 16.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Peterlee

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Peterlee recorded 377 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Peterlee

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Peterlee recorded 329 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Peterlee

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Peterlee recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Peterlee

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Peterlee recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Peterlee

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Peterlee recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Peterlee

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Peterlee recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Peterlee

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Peterlee recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Peterlee

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Peterlee recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Peterlee

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Peterlee recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Peterlee

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Peterlee recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 85% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Peterlee

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Peterlee recorded 6 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 14% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Peterlee

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Peterlee recorded 4 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 down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Peterlee, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Peterlee had the highest rate (133.4 per 1,000) and Castle Eden & Passfield the lowest (86.9). 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 Peterlee over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Peterlee 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.

Peterlee has an estimated population of 20,751. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Peterlee sits in decile 2.6, 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 Peterlee. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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