County Durham Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

County Durham’s November 2025 crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 residents places it 26% above the UK average of 7.3, a disparity that translates to a higher per-capita risk for local residents compared to the national picture. This rate, while elevated, must be contextualized within the area’s character as a historically industrial region with a mix of urban and rural communities. The most significant contributor to the overall crime rate is violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.7% of all reported crimes and remain 21% above the UK average. This category’s prominence may be linked to the area’s socio-economic profile, where high unemployment rates or limited access to social services could contribute to increased tensions. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, also exceeds the UK average by 32%, with a notable 31% decrease from the previous month. This reduction could be attributed to the end of the academic term in local schools, which often sees a surge in youth-related incidents during the autumn months. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson—126% above the UK average—highlight a persistent issue with property-related crimes, which may be exacerbated by the area’s industrial heritage and the presence of older infrastructure. Seasonal factors such as the Black Friday shopping period and the onset of darker evenings in November likely influenced the rise in shoplifting, which is 75% above the UK average. These patterns underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the root causes of crime and the immediate pressures of seasonal fluctuations.

November 2025 saw a 32.4% increase in burglary reports, rising from 188 to 249 incidents, a shift that may reflect seasonal factors such as darker evenings and increased indoor activity. Robbery rates also climbed by 27.3%, with 28 reported cases, though this remains below the UK average for the category. Conversely, anti-social behaviour decreased by 31.0%, falling from 1,105 to 762 incidents—a drop that could be linked to the end of term in local schools or reduced public gatherings. Violence and sexual offences remained 21% above the UK average at 3.1 per 1,000, while criminal damage and arson surged 126% above the national benchmark. These disparities highlight the area’s distinct challenges, with property crimes like burglary and vandalism impacting local communities compared to other regions. A resident might find the 75% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average particularly relevant, as it suggests targeted retail crime patterns during the Black Friday shopping period. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell 25% below the UK average, reflecting a reduction in car-related incidents during the month. The 32.4% rise in burglary, however, underscores the need for enhanced security measures in homes, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or during periods of reduced visibility.

County Durham’s November 2025 crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 residents reflects an 8.7% decrease from the previous month’s 10.1, marking a notable shift in local crime trends. This decline, while modest, suggests a potential stabilization in crime patterns as the area transitions into winter. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 166 crimes per day in November, translating to one reported crime for every 108 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible context for assessing risk, though it remains distinct from daily fluctuations. When scaled to the population of 538,011, the crime rate underscores that while County Durham’s rate is higher than the UK average, the month-on-month decline suggests a possible alignment with seasonal factors such as reduced daylight hours and shifts in outdoor activity. This contrast with the previous month’s figures highlights the importance of viewing crime data through both weekly and monthly lenses to capture shifting patterns. The local context—characterized by a mix of urban and rural landscapes—may contribute to the persistence of higher-than-average rates for certain crime categories, while the decline in others may reflect targeted policing efforts or community initiatives. However, without explicit data on such efforts, these observations remain speculative.