Crime in Whitley Bay: statistics, rates and trends

2,393 crimes were recorded in Whitley Bay in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was shoplifting, with 548 reports (23% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Whitley Bay has the 873rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Whitley Bay was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,343 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,393). 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 Whitley Bay 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 shoplifting.

The largest increases were in other crime (+98%) and shoplifting (+17%). The largest falls were in drugs (-60%) and possession of weapons (-58%).

Shoplifting in Whitley Bay

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Whitley Bay recorded 548 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 22.9% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in Whitley Bay

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Whitley Bay recorded 548 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 22.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Whitley Bay

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Whitley Bay recorded 494 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Whitley Bay

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Whitley Bay recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Whitley Bay

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Whitley Bay recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Whitley Bay

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Whitley Bay recorded 113 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Whitley Bay

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Whitley Bay recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Whitley Bay

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Whitley Bay recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Whitley Bay

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Whitley Bay recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 98% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Whitley Bay

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Whitley Bay recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Whitley Bay

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Whitley Bay recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Whitley Bay

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Whitley Bay recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Whitley Bay

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Whitley Bay recorded 14 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 40% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Whitley Bay

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Whitley Bay recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 58% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

3 areas within Whitley Bay, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Whitley Bay North had the highest rate (104.7 per 1,000) and St Mary's the lowest (30.7). 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 Whitley Bay over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Whitley Bay 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.

Whitley Bay has an estimated population of 36,899. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Whitley Bay sits in decile 8.0, less 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 Whitley Bay. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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