Bowburn Crime Rate

Bowburn is a community with a positive safety profile, recording an overall crime rate of 90.5 per 1,000 residents. This figure is lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to a safety score of 79/100, which is slightly above the national average of 78. The area has seen a significant decreasing trend in reported incidents, with a 21.8% reduction year-over-year. This downward trajectory is a positive indicator of the local security environment. The crime landscape is primarily defined by violence, anti-social behaviour, and a property crime rate of 26.7 per 1,000 people. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of the specific crime types and temporal patterns in Bowburn.

In Bowburn, the crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.9% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 20.5% and shoplifting at 11.0%. These three categories represent the majority of local police activity, highlighting challenges in both personal safety and retail security.

Property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, theft, shoplifting, and vehicle crime—is a significant factor in Bowburn, with a rate of 26.7 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Specifically, burglary accounts for 4.1% of total crime, while vehicle crime stands at 2.6%. For residents and homeowners, these statistics indicate that while the town remains generally secure, property-related offences are a persistent issue. The fact that burglary peaks during the afternoon and night suggests that residential security is important throughout the day, and proactive measures are necessary to protect homes and belongings from opportunistic crime.

Bowburn is experiencing a significant downward trend in crime, with a 21.8% reduction in total reported incidents over the past year. Monthly data shows a somewhat fluctuating pattern, with rates mostly staying between 4.5 and 9.9 per 1,000 residents. A peak was reached in April (9.9), followed by another high in September (9.6). The lowest activity was recorded in January (4.5) and November (5.5). This overall reduction is a very positive indicator for the town, suggesting that the local security environment is improving. For residents, this means that while crime is decreasing, continued vigilance is necessary given the fluctuations in monthly reported incidents.

How To Keep Safe in Bowburn

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Bowburn, followed by anti-social behaviour. To enhance your personal safety and protect your property, a combination of awareness and proactive steps is recommended.

• When walking through the town at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through less populated areas or parks.
• Be mindful of your surroundings in the town centre, particularly during peak shopping hours when shoplifting and other thefts are more frequent.
• Secure your home's perimeter by ensuring fences and gates are in good repair, which helps to deter opportunistic intruders.
• Join a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any suspicious activity or recent crime patterns in your immediate area.
• Ensure your vehicle is always locked and that no valuables are left on display, as even low rates of vehicle crime can be avoided with basic care.
• Be particularly vigilant during the afternoon hours (12pm-6pm), as data shows this is the peak time for burglary in Bowburn.
• Keep your home's exterior well-lit, as good visibility is a strong deterrent for many types of opportunistic crime.

Crime in Bowburn follows clear temporal patterns throughout the day and night. During the morning and afternoon, shoplifting and theft are common concerns, accounting for around 23% of reported incidents. However, the afternoon (12pm to 6pm) is also the peak period for burglary, which reaches its highest proportional level at 32%. As evening falls, the focus shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 60% of reported incidents between 6pm and midnight. The night-time period (12am to 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which reaches its highest proportional level at 24%. This suggests that while property crime occurs throughout the day, different types of vulnerability emerge at different times.

Bowburn's crime rate of 90.5 reflects its status as a local hub, but it is higher than several of its neighbours. High Shincliffe records a lower rate of 42.8, while Coxhoe is also safer at 66.5 crimes per 1,000 people. Some neighbouring settlements like Croxdale and Kelloe reported zero crimes during the same period. This regional context shows that while Bowburn is a busy area for local authorities, it is part of a wider landscape with varying levels of safety. Residents should be aware that Bowburn is a primary location for reported incidents in this immediate part of County Durham.

With a property crime rate of 26.7 per 1,000 residents—lower than the UK average—but a significant decreasing trend in overall crime, Bowburn residents can feel encouraged. However, protecting your home still requires a proactive approach. Traditional CCTV and basic alarms are reactive; they only alert you or provide evidence after a crime has been committed. This often means the emotional and financial damage is already done.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to prevent crime before it happens. As an AI-powered home security operating system, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time using multi-camera intelligence. It can distinguish between normal activity and a genuine threat, such as an intruder attempting to access your home or vehicle. In Bowburn, where burglary peaks during the afternoon (32% of incidents) and night (29%), scOS's ability to trigger autonomous deterrents like lights and speakers is invaluable. By stopping threats at the property line, scOS provides the professional-grade protection needed to ensure your home remains a safe sanctuary.