Bishop Middleham Crime Rate

Bishop Middleham is an exceptionally safe and peaceful village in County Durham, reflected in its outstanding safety score of 92/100. The overall crime rate is remarkably low at just 26.6 per 1,000 residents, which is less than a third of the UK national average of 93.1. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a significant downward trend, with a 31.3% decrease in crime year-over-year. Property crime is particularly rare, with a rate of only 4.8 per 1,000, making it one of the most secure locations for homeowners in the region. This combination of low crime and a positive trend makes Bishop Middleham an ideal choice for those seeking a high-safety residential environment. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types, temporal patterns, and regional comparisons.

Crime Breakdown in Bishop Middleham

Bishop Middleham is one of the safest urban settlements in the region, with its crime profile led by violence and sexual offences at 45.5% and anti-social behaviour at 18.2%. The area also records "other crime" as a top category at 9.1%. Remarkably, the property crime rate is exceptionally low at just 4.8 per 1,000 residents, which is less than 15% of the UK average. Burglary, vehicle crime, and criminal damage each account for only 6.1% of total offences, with just two incidents of each recorded in the latest data. This suggests that Bishop Middleham is an incredibly secure environment where property-related risks are minimal. For residents, the focus is more on general community safety and social behaviour rather than the threat of serious theft or break-ins.

Crime Trends in Bishop Middleham

Bishop Middleham is currently on a very positive safety trajectory, with a 31.3% decrease in total crime year-over-year. The monthly data for 2025 shows a consistently low and stable crime rate, typically between 0.8 and 4.0 per 1,000 residents. April and December recorded the highest rates at 4.0, but these were still very low by national standards. Other months, such as May, recorded as little as 0.8 crimes per 1,000 people. This overall downward trend, combined with the lack of any significant monthly spikes, reinforces Bishop Middleham's reputation as a secure and increasingly safe village. For residents, this long-term decline is a strong indicator of a peaceful and well-protected local environment.

How To Keep Safe in Bishop Middleham

The most common crime type in Bishop Middleham is violence and sexual offences, which are relatively rare in public spaces but still warrant general awareness. When out in the village, staying aware of your surroundings and sticking to well-lit areas at night is always good practice. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, so reporting any nuisance activity to the local authorities can help keep the community peaceful. For property safety, the exceptionally low burglary and vehicle crime rates mean that basic precautions are usually very effective. Ensure that your vehicle is always locked and that no valuables are left on display, particularly at night when vehicle crime is proportionally more common. For your home, simple steps like using high-quality window locks and ensuring that side gates are secure can provide a strong deterrent against the very few opportunistic crimes that occur in the area. Participating in a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme is also a great way to maintain the village's high safety standards.

Bishop Middleham's crime patterns are highly specific despite the low overall volume. Vehicle crime is a primary concern during the night, accounting for 57% of night-time incidents, and also features prominently in the morning (41%). This suggests that parked cars are targeted when the village is quietest. Property crime like burglary shows a different trend, with a significant peak in the afternoon (38%) when homes are more likely to be unoccupied. The evening hours are dominated by "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 48% of activity during that period. Overall, the village is extremely quiet, but the distinct peaks for vehicle crime at night and burglary in the afternoon provide clear indicators for when residents should be most vigilant.

When compared to its neighbours in County Durham, Bishop Middleham stands out as a sanctuary of safety. Its crime rate of 26.6 per 1,000 is vastly lower than nearby Ferryhill (142.3) and Cornforth (101.8). It is also significantly safer than Fishburn (70.2) and the larger town of Sedgefield (69.2). For anyone looking to live in this part of the county, Bishop Middleham offers a level of security that is unmatched by its immediate surroundings, providing a quiet, low-risk alternative to the more active nearby settlements.

Bishop Middleham enjoys an incredibly low property crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000, but the fact that vehicle crime and burglary still occur highlights the need for effective protection. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record an incident as it happens or after the fact. In a high-safety environment like Bishop Middleham, the goal should be to maintain that safety by preventing incidents entirely. The scOS AI-powered operating system is the ideal solution for this. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter and identifies potential threats before they can act. If an unauthorised individual enters your boundary, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and audio warnings, ensuring they move on. For Bishop Middleham residents, scOS provides a sophisticated, proactive layer of security that keeps their home as safe as the village itself.