Chilton Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Chilton (County Durham) recorded a crime rate of 8.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 30.9% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This marked elevation underscores a significant imbalance between property and violent crime, with property-related offences dominating the crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 28.6% of all incidents (16 cases), aligning with the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. However, property crimes—particularly anti-social behaviour (23.2%, 13 cases) and shoplifting (19.6%, 11 cases)—were starkly overrepresented, with anti-social behaviour 126% above the national benchmark and shoplifting 216% above. This disparity may reflect the area’s built-up character, where high-density living and limited public spaces could contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and retail-focused crimes. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, as January typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter days, which may suppress shoplifting but not entirely eliminate it. The dominance of property crimes over violent ones, despite the latter’s consistency with the UK average, suggests a local environment where economic pressures or social dynamics may drive non-violent criminal activity. This pattern is further reinforced by the absence of significant spikes in violent crime, which could indicate either effective community policing or a lack of major catalysts such as large-scale events.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in anti-social behaviour (+160%) and criminal damage and arson (+150%) compared to December, with the former rising from five to 13 incidents. This surge in anti-social behaviour, which is 126% above the UK average, may reflect seasonal factors such as post-holiday gatherings or colder weather driving more indoor interactions in the built-up area. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 52.2% (from 23 to 11), potentially linked to reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours. Violent crimes remained consistent with the UK average at 2.5 per 1,000, while property crimes (22 total) slightly outpaced violent crimes (16 total), a shift that may indicate changing patterns in local criminal activity. The significant drop in burglary (85.7%)—from seven to one incident—suggests a possible reallocation of criminal resources or increased security measures in the area.

Chilton’s crime rate in January 2026 dropped by 22.2% compared to the previous month, falling from 11.5 to 8.9 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns observed in similar built-up areas of County Durham, where reduced foot traffic and shorter daylight hours often correlate with lower crime levels. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly two crimes reported each day in January, a figure that, while locally relevant, does not allow direct comparison to national averages due to differing population sizes and regional dynamics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 112 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents despite the area’s elevated rate compared to the UK average. This monthly exposure provides context for residents, showing that while Chilton’s crime rate is above the national benchmark, the likelihood of any individual being directly affected remains modest. The drop in burglary by 85.7%—from seven to one incident—suggests a potential shift in criminal activity, possibly influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity or increased community vigilance during colder months.