Cotherstone Crime Rate

Cotherstone is a highly secure urban settlement, featuring an impressive safety score of 89/100, which is far above the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate in the area is 42.0 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the national average of 93.1. The crime trend in Cotherstone is currently stable, with only a minor 1.7% increase year-over-year. With a population of 1,453, this community enjoys a very peaceful environment where residents are at much lower risk of criminal activity than the average UK citizen. Understanding the local crime dynamics, particularly regarding property offences, is important for maintaining this high level of safety.

In Cotherstone, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 47.5% of all reported incidents with 29 recorded cases. Burglary is the second most frequent at 14.8%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 13.1%. When examining property crime collectively—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—Cotherstone has a rate of 15.8 per 1,000 residents. This is less than half the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Notably, burglary features as a top-three crime, which is relatively high for an area with such a low overall crime rate. For residents, this suggests that while the area is generally very safe, property security, particularly against burglary, should be a primary focus for homeowners. Criminal damage and arson also represent a significant portion of the local crime profile.

Cotherstone has seen a stable trend in crime over the past year, with a minor 1.7% increase in total offences. Monthly data reveals that crime rates fluctuated, with a peak in September 2025 (6.9 per 1,000) and several months recording 5.5, including February, June, and August. In contrast, several months were very quiet, such as December 2024 and January 2025 which recorded only 1.4 crimes per 1,000. This volatility suggests that while the area is generally very safe, there have been specific periods of heightened activity. For residents, the overall stability is reassuring, but the monthly spikes serve as a reminder to maintain consistent security awareness throughout the year. Monitoring these patterns can help the community stay alert during typically busier months.

How To Keep Safe in Cotherstone

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Cotherstone. While the area is very safe overall, personal awareness and property security are the best ways to stay safe.

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking through the village, especially after dark, and try to stay in well-lit areas.
2. Given that burglary is a notable local concern, ensure all windows and doors are securely locked, even when you are at home or just stepping out briefly.
3. Consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch group to stay informed about recent incidents and to share safety information with your neighbours.
4. Install motion-sensor lighting around the exterior of your home to deter both potential burglars and those engaged in anti-social behaviour.
5. If you witness any suspicious activity, particularly near residential properties, report it to the local police to help them maintain a presence in the area.

Crime in Cotherstone follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is a significant concern, accounting for 25% and 23% of incidents respectively. However, burglary risks are notably high throughout the day and night. Burglary peaks during the afternoon at 48% and remains very high at night (43%) and in the evening (38%). Vehicle crime also shows a notable increase at night, representing 26% of recorded offences during those hours. This data suggests that while daytime is busier for opportunistic theft, property is at a high risk of burglary at almost any time, especially when homes are unattended or during the night. Residents should prioritise robust, 24-hour protection for their homes.

In the context of the County Durham region, Cotherstone (42.0 crimes per 1,000) holds a strong position for safety. It is significantly safer than larger nearby towns like Barnard Castle (76.1) and Startforth (113.0). While it does not match the exceptionally low crime records of smaller nearby areas like Mickleton (0.0) and Middleton-in-Teesdale (13.8), it remains a very secure place for a settlement of its size. For residents and those considering a move to the area, Cotherstone offers a level of safety that is much higher than the national average. Its stable crime trend further distinguishes it as a consistently secure community.

Cotherstone's property crime rate of 15.8 per 1,000 is low, but with burglary being the second most common crime in the area, homeowners should consider more than just basic security. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. For those seeking the highest level of protection, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered operating system. scOS doesn't just record; it prevents. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundary, it can detect suspicious patterns and intervene autonomously. Whether it’s activating deterrent lighting or audio warnings, scOS destroys the element of surprise. For a community like Cotherstone, where burglary is a notable local concern, a proactive system like scOS ensures that your home remains a difficult target, maintaining your property's safety regardless of local trends. It’s about stopping a threat at the boundary, not watching it on your phone after the damage is done.