Crime in South Shields: statistics, rates and trends

9,149 crimes were recorded in South Shields in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,912 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, South Shields has the 150th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Shields was highest in the year to July 2018 (12,629 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (9,149). Over the whole period it fell 28%, 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 South Shields 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+41%) and other crime (+16%). The largest falls were in drugs (-33%) and possession of weapons (-31%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Shields

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Shields recorded 2,912 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 31.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Shields

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Shields recorded 1,842 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Shields

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Shields recorded 1,198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 13.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Shields

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Shields recorded 895 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Shields

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Shields recorded 602 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Shields

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Shields recorded 411 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Shields

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Shields recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Shields

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Shields recorded 289 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Shields

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Shields recorded 232 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 14% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Shields

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Shields recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Shields

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Shields recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Shields

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Shields recorded 81 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 down 31% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Shields

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Shields recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Shields

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Shields recorded 45 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 down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within South Shields, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Beacon and Bents had the highest rate (255.6 per 1,000) and Harton the lowest (70.1). 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 South Shields over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Shields 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.

South Shields has an estimated population of 73,657. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Shields sits in decile 3.0, 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 South Shields. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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