Middleton-in-Teesdale Crime Rate

Middleton-in-Teesdale is one of the safest settlements in County Durham, boasting an exceptionally low crime rate of 14.5 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, resulting in a remarkable safety score of 97/100. The area has seen a positive trend recently, with a 12.6% decrease in total crime year-over-year. Residents benefit from a peaceful environment where property crime is rare and the overall volume of incidents is minimal. This data, covering December 2024 to November 2025, positions Middleton-in-Teesdale as a highly desirable location for those seeking security and community stability.

Crime Breakdown in Middleton-in-Teesdale

The most frequent reports in Middleton-in-Teesdale involve violence and sexual offences, which account for 30.9% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 26.8% and criminal damage and arson at 12.4%. While these percentages highlight the primary concerns for local law enforcement, the actual volume of crime remains exceptionally low compared to urban centres.

Property-related crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Specifically, there were 11 recorded burglaries and only 2 vehicle crimes during the reporting period. For residents, this suggests a very low risk of property loss, though the presence of criminal damage (12 cases) indicates that maintaining exterior property security remains a sensible precaution even in such a safe environment.

Crime Trends in Middleton-in-Teesdale

The 12-month trend for Middleton-in-Teesdale is encouraging, with a 12.6% reduction in total crime compared to the previous year. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a consistently low crime rate, rarely exceeding 2.0 per 1,000 residents in any given month.

The safest period was in early 2025, with January recording a low of 0.6 crimes per 1,000. There was a noticeable increase during the summer months, peaking in August at 2.0, which may be attributed to increased visitor numbers or seasonal activities. However, even at its peak, the crime rate remained far below the national average. The trend stabilized toward the end of the year, with November recording a rate of 1.2. This downward trajectory suggests that local policing and community safety initiatives are proving effective in maintaining the area's secure status.

How To Keep Safe in Middleton-in-Teesdale

Although Middleton-in-Teesdale is very safe, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type. To maintain your personal safety, consider these practical steps:

• Stay aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly in more isolated rural footpaths or during the late evening hours.
• Ensure your home is well-lit at night; 47% of local burglaries occur between midnight and 6am, and good lighting is a simple but effective deterrent.
• Engage with local community watch groups to stay informed about any unusual activity in the village, as community vigilance is key in low-population areas.
• Always secure outbuildings and sheds, as these can be targets for 'other theft' in rural settings.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities early to prevent escalation, as this is the second most common issue in the area.

Crime in Middleton-in-Teesdale follows distinct temporal patterns, despite the low overall volume. Property-related crimes, particularly theft, are more prevalent during the morning (37%) and afternoon (35%), likely coinciding with times when residents are away from home or when local shops are active. Conversely, burglary shows a significant peak during the night-time hours, with 47% of incidents occurring between 12am and 6am. This suggests that intruders in this area prefer the cover of darkness and the likelihood that residents are asleep. Vehicle crime also sees its highest relative frequency at night (13%). Afternoon hours are the most common time for burglaries (40%), indicating that opportunistic daytime entry is also a risk. Understanding these windows of activity allows residents to be more vigilant during specific times, such as ensuring all locks are engaged before retiring for the night.

When comparing Middleton-in-Teesdale to its immediate neighbours, the area sits in a very favourable position. It is considerably safer than Startforth, which has a much higher crime rate of 113.8 per 1,000 people, and Cotherstone, which sits at 44.8. For those looking for the absolute lowest crime levels, the nearby hamlets of Mickleton and Eastgate both recorded zero crimes during this period. However, given its larger population and amenities, Middleton-in-Teesdale's rate of 14.5 is impressively low. It offers a balanced environment for those who want the safety of a rural village without the total isolation of smaller settlements, making it one of the most secure options in the Teesdale region.

In an area like Middleton-in-Teesdale, where the property crime rate is a low 4.9 per 1,000, residents might be tempted to rely on traditional, reactive security. However, the data shows that when burglaries do occur, 47% happen during the dead of night. Traditional CCTV or doorbell cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it has been committed, which is of limited use in a low-crime area where police resources may be distanced.

Transitioning to a proactive system like scOS offers a superior level of protection. By using AI to detect threats at the property boundary, scOS can intervene before a break-in occurs. Features such as autonomous lighting and voice alerts can deter the opportunistic intruder who might target a seemingly quiet rural property. For homeowners in Middleton-in-Teesdale, the goal is to maintain the area's high safety standards by ensuring their own homes are never the 'easy target' that an intruder is looking for.