Brandon (County Durham) Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Brandon (County Durham) experienced a crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents in December 2025, placing it 11.4% above the UK average of 7.0. This figure, while modest, reflects the area’s built-up nature and the pressures of the festive season. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.3% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (27.4%) and criminal damage and arson (13.1%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of December, a time marked by prolonged darkness, increased retail activity, and the potential for empty homes during holiday absences. The dominance of violent crime may be linked to the area’s proximity to larger urban centres, where such offences are more common, or to the social tensions exacerbated by seasonal gatherings. Anti-social behaviour, which is 126% above the UK average, could be attributed to the concentrated nature of Brandon’s built-up area, where community interactions are frequent and public spaces are heavily used. The spike in criminal damage and arson (92% above UK average) may also be tied to the festive season, with increased alcohol consumption and the presence of seasonal events contributing to a higher incidence of property-related offences. These trends underscore the need for targeted interventions during peak periods, particularly in managing anti-social behaviour and ensuring public safety in high-traffic areas.

December 2025 saw a dramatic 100% rise in drug-related crimes, jumping from zero to three incidents—a stark contrast to the 75% drop in shoplifting, which fell from eight to two. This shift reflects the seasonal push of Christmas shopping and party season, which may have inadvertently created conditions for illicit activity. Anti-social behaviour remained the second-highest category, 126% above the UK average, a figure that likely ties to the area’s built-up nature and the strain of festive crowds. Meanwhile, public order offences plummeted by 62.5%, possibly due to heightened police presence or the natural decline of certain events. The UK comparison for shoplifting, 65% below the national average, suggests Brandon’s retail environment may be more secure than average, though this could also stem from fewer high-street outlets. These changes highlight a combination of seasonal factors and local crime patterns, with drug use emerging as a critical new concern.

Brandon’s crime rate in December 2025 remained stable compared to November, with a 1.2% increase from 7.7 to 7.8 per 1,000 residents. This slight shift masks significant fluctuations in specific categories. Locally, the average resident faced a 1-in-128 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the month, highlighting the persistent risk even in a small built-up area. Daily, the area saw approximately three crimes per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for consistent community vigilance. When scaled to population, the 11.4% gap between Brandon’s rate and the UK average becomes more tangible: for every 100 residents, Brandon experiences 0.78 crimes, compared to the UK’s 0.70. This disparity is most pronounced in anti-social behaviour, which is 126% above the UK average, a factor that may reflect local social dynamics or policing priorities. The monthly exposure metric also contextualizes the impact: over 31 days, each resident in Brandon had a 0.78% chance of being directly involved in a crime, a rate that, while modest, remains a focal point for local authorities.