High Shincliffe Crime Rate

High Shincliffe is a highly desirable and secure urban settlement in County Durham, featuring a safety score of 90/100. The area's overall crime rate of 42.8 per 1,000 residents is substantially lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Furthermore, local crime is on a downward trajectory, with a 10.6% year-over-year decrease reported. Property-related crime is particularly low at 9.7 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9, and vehicle crime is almost non-existent. This makes High Shincliffe one of the safest residential options in the region. This report provides a detailed analysis of local crime types, timing, and security advice to help residents maintain this high standard of safety.

Crime Breakdown in High Shincliffe

High Shincliffe’s crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 38.6% of all reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 17.8%, followed by 'other' crimes at 16.8%. While the top category has a high percentage, the overall crime rate remains low, suggesting these are often isolated incidents rather than a widespread social issue.

Property-related crime in High Shincliffe, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is notably low with a collective rate of 9.7 per 1,000 residents. Burglary accounts for 7.9% of total crimes, while vehicle crime is exceptionally rare at just 1.0%. Other theft makes up 6.9%. For homeowners, this indicates that the area is very secure against theft and property intrusion. The low incidence of vehicle crime is particularly impressive compared to national averages, making High Shincliffe one of the safer places in the region for property owners and car enthusiasts alike.

Crime Trends in High Shincliffe

High Shincliffe is currently experiencing a positive downward trend in criminal activity. Year-over-year data shows a 10.6% decrease in total crimes, a significant improvement that reinforces the area's strong safety profile. Monthly analysis from late 2024 through 2025 shows that crime rates have remained consistently low, generally fluctuating between 2.1 and 5.1 per 1,000 residents.

A slight peak was observed in October 2025, reaching 5.1 per 1,000, but this follows several months of lower activity, such as 2.1 in August and 2.5 in June. These small fluctuations are typical for a settlement of this size and do not detract from the overall annual reduction. For residents, this trend means that High Shincliffe is becoming even safer over time, with local safety initiatives and community awareness effectively keeping crime levels well below national and regional averages.

How To Keep Safe in High Shincliffe

High Shincliffe is an exceptionally safe area, but violence and sexual offences (38.6%) and anti-social behaviour (17.8%) are the most common reports. While property crime is low, burglary still occurs, particularly during the night and afternoon.

1. Ensure your home's security is active during the afternoon hours; 42% of crimes during this period are burglaries, often targeting empty homes.
2. Maintain good lighting around your property's perimeter to deter anti-social behaviour and provide clear visibility for any security cameras.
3. Be a vigilant neighbour; the close-knit nature of High Shincliffe is a strong deterrent against crime. Report any suspicious vehicles to the local police.
4. While vehicle crime is very low (1%), always lock your car and avoid leaving any items on display to maintain this excellent statistic.
5. Consider a proactive home security system that focuses on boundary detection; this is the most effective way to prevent burglary before it happens.

Crime Time Patterns in High Shincliffe

Criminal activity in High Shincliffe follows a distinct temporal pattern. The morning hours are relatively quiet, with theft and miscellaneous offences being the most common reports. However, as the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), burglary becomes a significant factor, accounting for 42% of all crimes during that window. This suggests that residential properties are most at risk when occupants are away for work or school.

In the evening and night, the pattern shifts. Anti-social behaviour and 'other' crimes increase during the evening hours, likely linked to social activity. Between 12am and 6am, burglary peaks at 51% of all reported incidents, indicating that the overnight period is the highest risk time for residential break-ins. Vehicle crime remains consistently low throughout all periods. Overall, residents should focus their security efforts on the afternoon and overnight periods to mitigate the most common local property risks.

High Shincliffe stands out as a haven of safety within the County Durham area. When compared to the nearby city of Durham, which has a crime rate of 95.4, or Bowburn at 90.5, High Shincliffe’s rate of 42.8 is remarkably low. It is also significantly safer than Sherburn (69.1). While the very small area of Croxdale reported 0.0 crimes, High Shincliffe remains one of the most secure established residential communities in the district. This significant difference in crime rates highlights why High Shincliffe is such a popular choice for those seeking a peaceful and secure living environment while remaining close to regional employment hubs.

With a property crime rate of just 9.7 per 1,000 residents, High Shincliffe is a safe community, but the fact that burglary makes up nearly 8% of total crime—and over 50% of night-time incidents—shows that residential security remains a priority. Most homeowners rely on traditional reactive security, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras. These systems are designed to record a crime as it happens, providing you with footage of your burglary after the fact.

For those in High Shincliffe who want to prevent the crime entirely, the scOS AI-powered operating system offers a proactive alternative. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder, activating autonomous responses like lights and speakers to deter a threat before it reaches your door. In an area like High Shincliffe, where vehicle crime is low but burglary persists, scOS provides the proactive protection needed to ensure your home is never a target. Prevention is always better than a recording.