Chilton (County Durham) Crime Rate

Chilton (County Durham) has a crime rate of 114.7 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK national average of 91.7. Despite this elevated rate, the area maintains a safety score of 73/100, reflecting a community that is safer than many comparable urban areas. The recent trend is positive, with total crime decreasing by 6.8% over the last year. However, property crime remains a concern, with a rate of 41.7 per 1,000 people. This data, covering December 2024 to November 2025, provides a detailed look at the local safety landscape, dominated by violence and sexual offences but showing overall improvement in crime volume.

Crime Breakdown in Chilton (County Durham)

In Chilton, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, representing 37.2% of the total, with 268 incidents recorded. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.6% and criminal damage and arson at 11.8%. These top three categories account for nearly two-thirds of all local crime, highlighting the primary challenges for the community.

Property crime is a significant factor in Chilton's statistics, with a combined rate of 41.7 per 1,000 residents. This includes shoplifting (9.4% of total crime), other theft (5.4%), and vehicle crime (4.7%). Burglary accounts for 4.6% of reports, with 33 incidents occurring over the year. For homeowners and business owners, this property crime rate—which is higher than the UK average of 32.3—indicates a clear need for robust physical security. The prevalence of shoplifting and criminal damage further suggests that both residential and commercial properties are at risk of opportunistic crime.

Crime Trends in Chilton (County Durham)

The crime trend in Chilton is currently moving in a positive direction, with a 6.8% decrease in total crime compared to the previous year. This suggests that despite being above the national average, the overall volume of criminal activity is contracting.

Analysis of the monthly data reveals significant volatility throughout the year. The highest crime rate was recorded in August 2025 at 13.0 per 1,000 residents, while the lowest rates were seen in September and November 2025, both at 6.7. This represents a nearly 50% fluctuation between the peak and the trough, which may be tied to seasonal factors or specific local events. Other notable peaks occurred in April (11.5) and October (10.3). The fact that the year ended on a lower note (6.7 in November) is a promising sign for residents, indicating that the downward trend may be sustaining into the following year.

How To Keep Safe in Chilton (County Durham)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Chilton, making up over 37% of reports. To stay safe, residents should follow these guidelines:

• Be vigilant when walking alone after dark, particularly in less populated or poorly lit areas; try to stick to main roads and well-lit paths.
• Secure your vehicles every night, as vehicle crime is a major night-time issue in Chilton, accounting for nearly 30% of crimes between midnight and 6am.
• Install high-quality locks on all doors and windows, and consider a security system that provides coverage for the afternoon hours when burglary rates are high.
• Join a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about recent incidents of criminal damage or anti-social behaviour in your street.
• If you own a business, ensure your shoplifting prevention measures are up to date, as this is a significant contributor to local crime statistics.

Crime in Chilton follows a distinct hourly cycle. Property-related crimes like shoplifting and other theft are concentrated in the morning (34%) and afternoon (38%) peaks, aligning with business opening hours. However, as the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts. Burglary remains a threat throughout the day but has notable spikes in the afternoon and late at night (both 22%). Most concerning for vehicle owners is the night-time period (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime surges to 29% of all reported incidents. This suggests that while commercial areas are busier during the day, residential streets become more vulnerable to property crime under the cover of darkness. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see the highest percentage of 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, often linked to the evening economy and social gatherings.

In the local context, Chilton (114.7 per 1,000) is part of a varied safety landscape. It is notably safer than Ferryhill, which has a significantly higher crime rate of 141.4, and is also safer than Newton Aycliffe (122.4) and Coundon and Leeholme (118.8). However, it cannot match the near-perfect safety record of Kirk Merrington, which recorded zero crimes during the same period. For those looking to live in this part of County Durham, Chilton represents a middle-ground option—it faces more challenges than the smallest rural villages but is statistically more secure than its larger neighbouring towns. This makes it a relatively attractive choice for those who need town amenities but want to avoid the highest crime areas.

With a property crime rate of 41.7 per 1,000 in Chilton, protecting your home requires more than just a basic alarm. The data shows that vehicle crime and burglary are persistent issues, particularly during the night-time hours when vehicle crime accounts for 29% of all incidents. Traditional security systems, such as Ring or Nest, are often reactive—they alert you only after someone is already on your porch or, worse, inside your home.

For Chilton residents, a proactive solution like scOS is far more effective. scOS uses AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundary in real-time. It doesn't just record a burglary; it aims to prevent it by identifying suspicious patterns and engaging deterrents—like lights and audio alerts—before an intruder makes their move. In an area where burglars often strike in the afternoon or night, having an autonomous system that never sleeps provides the professional-grade deterrence needed to make opportunistic criminals move on to an easier target.