Pelton and Ouston Crime Rate

Pelton and Ouston is an urban settlement in County Durham with a crime profile that closely aligns with national trends. The area has an overall crime rate of 93.9 per 1,000 people, which is marginally above the UK average of 93.1. Despite this, it maintains a strong safety score of 79/100, indicating a generally secure environment for its 6,009 residents. The crime trend is currently stable, showing a modest 5.0% year-over-year change. While property crime is a factor, the rate of 24.8 per 1,000 is notably lower than the UK average of 32.9. This data suggests that while Pelton and Ouston is a busy urban area, it remains a relatively safe choice for residents compared to many similar-sized settlements.

Crime in Pelton and Ouston

The crime landscape in Pelton and Ouston is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which make up 35.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed closely by anti-social behaviour at 28.2% and criminal damage and arson at 13.1%. Together, these three categories account for the vast majority of police activity in the area.

For homeowners, the property crime rate is a key metric, standing at 24.8 per 1,000 residents. This includes burglary (2.3%), vehicle crime (2.8%), and shoplifting (4.1%). While the burglary rate itself is relatively low, the combined impact of theft and criminal damage suggests that property security remains a relevant concern for the community. Public order offences (4.4%) and other theft (3.7%) also contribute to the local statistics, indicating that most incidents are either interpersonal or opportunistic in nature.

Pelton and Ouston Crime Trends

The crime trend in Pelton and Ouston is currently classified as stable, with a 5.0% increase in total reported crimes over the past year. Monthly data reveals a degree of volatility; crime rates peaked in November 2024 at 11.8 per 1,000 people before dropping to a low of 5.0 in March 2025. Since that low point, the rate has gradually climbed back towards the 7.0 to 9.0 range.

This stability suggests that while there are seasonal fluctuations, the overall safety of the area is consistent. The peak in the winter months of 2024 followed by a quieter spring and a steady summer reflects common national patterns where darker evenings often see a slight rise in opportunistic crime. For residents, this stability is generally positive, indicating that there are no sudden or unmanaged surges in local criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Pelton and Ouston

Violence and sexual offences are the most commonly reported crimes in Pelton and Ouston. To stay safe, residents should practice general situational awareness, particularly when using public transport or walking in less populated areas during the evening. Staying in well-lit areas and letting someone know your expected arrival time are simple but effective habits.

Anti-social behaviour also represents a significant portion of local reports. Engaging with community groups and reporting incidents via the non-emergency 101 number can help the police allocate resources more effectively. For homeowners, ensuring that the front of the property is tidy and well-lit can often deter low-level nuisance behaviour.

Vehicle security is another area for attention, especially at night. Always double-check that your vehicle is locked and avoid leaving any items on display, even if they seem of low value. Using a steering lock or a Faraday pouch for keyless entry fobs can provide an extra layer of protection against modern car theft techniques.

Pelton and Ouston Time Patterns

Crime in Pelton and Ouston follows a clear temporal cycle. The morning hours (6am - 12pm) see a concentration of theft-related offences at 26%, likely linked to commercial and retail activity. In the afternoon, theft remains high at 30%, but burglary also reaches its daily peak at 18%. As evening falls (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order incidents—surge to 69% of all activity. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which accounts for 29% of reports during these hours, the highest of any time period. This suggests that while interpersonal and nuisance crimes dominate the evenings, property and vehicle-related offences are most prevalent during the quietest hours of the night.

In the local context of County Durham, Pelton and Ouston serves as a central urban area. When compared to nearby settlements, it shows a higher crime rate than Urpeth (26.3) and the rural villages of Newfield and West Pelton, which both reported zero crimes. However, it is significantly safer than Whitehill, which has a much higher crime rate of 103.7 per 1,000 people. This positioning highlights Pelton and Ouston as a typical suburban hub—more active than the surrounding quiet villages but maintaining a better safety profile than the more densely populated or higher-activity areas nearby. Residents here benefit from a balance of urban convenience and a stable safety environment.

With a property crime rate of 24.8 per 1,000 people, residents of Pelton and Ouston should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. In an area where criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are prominent, preventing the incident from occurring is far more valuable than having footage of the aftermath.

The scOS AI-powered security operating system offers a proactive solution. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries and can distinguish between regular activity and genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously respond—activating lights or audible alerts to deter the criminal before they even reach your door. This "prevent over record" philosophy is particularly effective against opportunistic theft and vehicle crime, which often occur during the night in Pelton and Ouston. Professional-grade protection signals to potential offenders that your home is a high-risk target, usually causing them to move on to easier properties.