Crime in Shildon: statistics, rates and trends
1,896 crimes were recorded in Shildon in the 12 months to July 2026, 176.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Shildon at a glance
- Crime trends in Shildon
- Types of crime in Shildon
- Shildon compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Shildon
- Streets with the most crime in Shildon
- What happened after crimes were reported in Shildon
- Population and deprivation in Shildon
- Questions about crime in Shildon
- About this data
1,896 crimes were recorded in Shildon in the 12 months to July 2026, 176.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 643 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Shildon has the 26th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Shildon | County Durham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,896 | 64,238 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 176.7 | 119.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 10,729 | 538,011 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Shildon was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,059 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,787). 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 | 1,896 | 176.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,791 | 166.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,802 | 168.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,967 | 183.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,000 | 186.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,059 | 191.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,958 | 182.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,788 | 166.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,787 | 166.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 193 |
| June 2026 | 146 |
| May 2026 | 187 |
| April 2026 | 141 |
| March 2026 | 144 |
| February 2026 | 119 |
| January 2026 | 135 |
| December 2025 | 143 |
| November 2025 | 147 |
| October 2025 | 162 |
| September 2025 | 174 |
| August 2025 | 205 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shildon 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 shoplifting (+110%) and other theft (+84%). The largest falls were in drugs (-28%) and public order (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 643 | 59.9 | 1.75 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 380 | 35.4 | 2.31 | +4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 279 | 26.0 | 3.83 | +6% |
| Other theft | 114 | 10.6 | 1.66 | +84% |
| Burglary | 113 | 10.5 | 2.98 | -13% |
| Shoplifting | 107 | 10.0 | 1.20 | +110% |
| Public order | 95 | 8.9 | 1.33 | -18% |
| Vehicle crime | 60 | 5.6 | 1.14 | +43% |
| Other crime | 57 | 5.3 | 2.52 | -2% |
| Drugs | 18 | 1.7 | 0.51 | -28% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 1.0 | 1.06 | +10% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.7 | 0.55 | -20% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.6 | 0.68 | +200% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.5 | 0.28 | -44% |
Violence and sexual offences in Shildon
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shildon recorded 643 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (59.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 33.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Shildon
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shildon recorded 380 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Shildon
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shildon recorded 279 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 14.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Shildon
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shildon recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 84% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Shildon
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shildon recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Shildon
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shildon recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 110% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Shildon
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shildon recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Shildon
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shildon recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Shildon
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shildon recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Shildon
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shildon recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Shildon
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shildon recorded 11 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 10% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Shildon
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shildon recorded 8 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 down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Shildon
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Shildon recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Shildon
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shildon recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Shildon, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shildon.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Shildon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Auckland | 4,344 | 201.4 | +14% |
| Newton Aycliffe | 3,508 | 132.5 | -25% |
| Spennymoor | 2,848 | 158.8 | -10% |
| Ferryhill | 1,466 | 174.2 | -1% |
| Willington (County Durham) | 941 | 147.1 | -17% |
| Crook | 1,165 | 130.8 | -26% |
| Darlington | 12,291 | 130.3 | -26% |
| Sedgefield | 413 | 64.7 | -63% |
1 areas within Shildon, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Shildon & Dene Valley had the highest rate (161.2 per 1,000) and Shildon & Dene Valley the lowest (161.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shildon & Dene Valley | Neighbourhood | 18,484 | 2,979 | 161.2 |
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 Shildon over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 166 |
| On or near Dent Street | 51 |
| On or near Royal George Close | 41 |
| On or near All Saints' Road | 38 |
| On or near Walter Street | 36 |
| On or near Magnolia Way | 35 |
| On or near Firtree | 32 |
| On or near Pine Tree Crescent | 32 |
| On or near Larch Avenue | 30 |
| On or near Central Parade | 29 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shildon 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 | 646 | 34.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 537 | 28.3% |
| Not recorded | 380 | 20.0% |
| Under investigation | 126 | 6.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 75 | 4.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 37 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 27 | 1.4% |
| Local resolution | 23 | 1.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 15 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.4% |
Shildon has an estimated population of 10,729. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shildon sits in decile 1.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Shildon |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 54.1% |
| Social rented homes | 23.7% |
| Private rented homes | 22.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 63.9% |
Is Shildon a safe place to live?
Shildon recorded 176.7 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 Shildon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 643 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (380).
Is crime in Shildon going up or down?
Recorded crime in Shildon was up 6% on the year before: 1,896 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,791 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Shildon?
Shildon 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 Shildon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.