Crime in Seaham: statistics, rates and trends
2,825 crimes were recorded in Seaham in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 30% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,825 crimes were recorded in Seaham in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 30% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 788 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Seaham has the 148th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Seaham | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,825 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 124.8 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +30% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 22,632 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Seaham was highest in the year to July 2026 (2,825 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,914). Over the whole period it rose 6%, 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 | 2,825 | 124.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,171 | 95.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,914 | 84.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,271 | 100.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,398 | 106.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,395 | 105.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,386 | 105.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,566 | 113.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,654 | 117.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 347 |
| June 2026 | 264 |
| May 2026 | 252 |
| April 2026 | 211 |
| March 2026 | 220 |
| February 2026 | 221 |
| January 2026 | 215 |
| December 2025 | 199 |
| November 2025 | 165 |
| October 2025 | 205 |
| September 2025 | 261 |
| August 2025 | 265 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Seaham 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, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+134%) and anti-social behaviour (+64%). The largest falls were in drugs (-17%) and other theft (-10%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 788 | 34.8 | 1.02 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 656 | 29.0 | 1.89 | +64% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 396 | 17.5 | 2.58 | +20% |
| Shoplifting | 391 | 17.3 | 2.09 | +134% |
| Public order | 140 | 6.2 | 0.93 | +26% |
| Other theft | 125 | 5.5 | 0.86 | -10% |
| Other crime | 94 | 4.2 | 1.97 | +49% |
| Vehicle crime | 71 | 3.1 | 0.64 | -8% |
| Burglary | 62 | 2.7 | 0.77 | -2% |
| Drugs | 44 | 1.9 | 0.59 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 24 | 1.1 | 1.09 | +118% |
| Robbery | 19 | 0.8 | 0.62 | +58% |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.4 | 0.24 | +200% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.3 | 0.32 | -14% |
Violence and sexual offences in Seaham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Seaham recorded 788 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 27.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Seaham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Seaham recorded 656 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 23.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Seaham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Seaham recorded 396 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 14.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Seaham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Seaham recorded 391 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 134% on the year before. It made up 13.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Seaham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Seaham recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Seaham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Seaham recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Seaham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Seaham recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Seaham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Seaham recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Seaham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Seaham recorded 62 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 down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Seaham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Seaham recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Seaham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Seaham recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 118% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Seaham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Seaham recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Seaham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Seaham recorded 9 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 up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Seaham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Seaham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Seaham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Seaham.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Seaham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murton (County Durham) | 1,485 | 186.7 | +50% |
| Easington (County Durham) | 1,190 | 179.1 | +43% |
| Hetton-le-Hole | 839 | 85.8 | -31% |
| Houghton-le-Spring | 1,140 | 98.2 | -21% |
| Sunderland | 19,393 | 110.4 | -12% |
| Horden | 1,389 | 184.1 | +47% |
| Peterlee | 3,014 | 145.2 | +16% |
| Shotton Colliery | 640 | 125.9 | +1% |
2 areas within Seaham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Seaham had the highest rate (127.4 per 1,000) and Dalton & Dawdon the lowest (122.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seaham | Neighbourhood | 11,655 | 1,485 | 127.4 |
| Dalton & Dawdon | Neighbourhood | 10,977 | 1,340 | 122.1 |
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 Seaham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Queensbury Road | 147 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 107 |
| On or near Tees Street | 87 |
| On or near Mappleton Drive | 86 |
| On or near Wear Street | 76 |
| On or near Parking Area | 72 |
| On or near Blandford Place | 67 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 62 |
| On or near The Avenue | 59 |
| On or near Ash Crescent | 49 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Seaham 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 | 776 | 27.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 756 | 26.8% |
| Not recorded | 656 | 23.2% |
| Under investigation | 235 | 8.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 148 | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 70 | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 67 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 25 | 0.9% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 24 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 22 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 0.6% |
| Local resolution | 16 | 0.6% |
Seaham has an estimated population of 22,632. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Seaham sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Seaham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.6% |
| Social rented homes | 21.2% |
| Private rented homes | 16.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 22.9% |
Is Seaham a safe place to live?
Seaham recorded 124.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Seaham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 788 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (656).
Is crime in Seaham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Seaham was up 30% on the year before: 2,825 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,171 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Seaham?
Seaham 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 Seaham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.