Great Lumley Crime Rate

Great Lumley is one of the safest settlements in the country, boasting an exceptional safety score of 93/100. This is far higher than the UK average of 78, reflecting a highly secure residential environment. The overall crime rate is a remarkably low 29.2 per 1,000 residents, which is nearly 70% lower than the national average of 93.1. Property crime is even more impressive, standing at just 5.6 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. Furthermore, the area is becoming even safer, with crime decreasing by 27.5% year-over-year. For residents and those looking to move to the area, these statistics offer significant peace of mind. The following analysis provides a deep dive into Great Lumley's crime breakdown, trends, and safety patterns.

Crime in Great Lumley

Great Lumley is an exceptionally safe residential area, with a crime profile led by violence and sexual offences at 40.5% (11.8 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 26.6%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 10.1%. These categories represent the vast majority of local police activity.

Property crime in Great Lumley—including burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offences—is remarkably low at just 5.6 per 1,000 people. This is over 80% lower than the UK average of 32.9, making it one of the most secure environments for homeowners in County Durham. Other theft accounts for 5.1% of total crime, while vehicle crime stands at only 2.5%. Burglary is a minimal concern, representing just 1.3% of local activity with only a single incident recorded in the last year. For residents, these statistics are highly reassuring. The data suggests that while public order and minor disputes are the primary focus for local police, the threat of property theft or home intrusion is statistically very rare. Maintaining this high standard of safety is best achieved through standard community vigilance and basic home security.

Crime Trends in Great Lumley

The crime trend in Great Lumley is significantly decreasing, with a 27.5% drop in total offences year-over-year. This is a very positive indicator for the community's safety. Analysis of the monthly data for 2024 and 2025 shows consistently low figures, with the year beginning at 2.2 per 1,000 in November and remaining stable through the winter.

Throughout 2025, the crime rate remained exceptionally low, peaking briefly in April at 3.3 per 1,000. Most notably, the latter part of the year saw even further reductions, with September and October recording only 1.1 per 1,000 residents. These are some of the lowest monthly crime rates recorded for a settlement of this size. For Great Lumley residents, this downward trend reinforces the village's reputation as a safe haven. There are no signs of any emerging crime issues, and the area continues to get safer as we move into late 2025.

How To Keep Safe in Great Lumley

The most common crime in Great Lumley is violence and sexual offences, which are very rare in absolute terms but represent the largest percentage of local incidents. To stay safe in this high-security village, consider the following:

• Vehicle Security at Night: Vehicle crime makes up 32% of all night-time activity in Great Lumley. If you have a garage, use it. If not, ensure your driveway is well-lit and consider a steering lock as a visible deterrent for opportunistic thieves.
• Daytime Vigilance: Theft is most common during the morning and afternoon (accounting for 43% and 50% of activity in those periods). Ensure that all garden equipment, parcels, and bikes are not left unattended or visible from the road during the day.
• Boundary Awareness: Although burglary is exceptionally low, 10% of night-time crimes are burglaries. Motion-activated lighting and high-quality boundary fencing are simple ways to make your home a less attractive target during the hours of darkness.
• Community Spirit: In a small village with very low crime, unusual activity is easily spotted. Staying connected with neighbours and joining local community groups is an excellent way to maintain the area's high safety standards and share information.

Crime Patterns in Great Lumley

Crime in Great Lumley follows a very specific temporal pattern, particularly regarding property offences. The morning and afternoon are the peak times for theft, with theft-related crimes accounting for 43% of morning activity and 50% of afternoon activity. This suggests that opportunistic thieves are most active when residents are likely to be away or occupied during the working day.

As the day transitions into the night, the focus shifts significantly to vehicle crime. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for 32% of all recorded incidents. While the actual number of incidents is very small, this is the highest concentration of a single property crime type in any time period. Burglary risks are almost non-existent during the day, with a small 10% relative frequency overnight. These patterns indicate that the primary windows of vulnerability are during the working day for general theft and overnight for vehicle-related offences. Securing vehicles before 10pm is the most effective way to address the area's largest night-time risk.

Great Lumley stands out as a safety leader in its local region. Its crime rate of 29.2 per 1,000 is significantly lower than all immediate neighbours, including Bournmoor (99.6), Fence Houses (74.4), and West Rainton (111.6). It is also a much safer alternative to the larger town of Chester-le-Street, which has a crime rate of 112.6. This comparison highlights Great Lumley's status as a particularly secure pocket within County Durham. For those prioritising safety above all else, Great Lumley offers a statistically superior profile compared to any other settlement in the immediate vicinity, making it a highly desirable location for families and those seeking a quiet, secure life.

In an elite safety area like Great Lumley, where property crime is a minimal 5.6 per 1,000, the goal of security is to ensure your home never becomes the "one in a hundred" exception. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens and alert you after the fact. While this provides evidence, it does not stop the intrusion or theft from occurring in the first place.

For those who want to maintain Great Lumley's exceptional safety record at their own property, a proactive approach is the best choice. The scOS operating system uses AI to transform standard security cameras into an active boundary defence. By identifying potential threats before they reach your home, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio alerts. This is particularly relevant for vehicle crime, which is the most common property-related offence in the village and peaks during the night. By stopping a threat at the property line, you prevent the crime entirely. Choosing proactive AI protection over simple recording ensures that your home remains as secure as the local statistics suggest.