Seaham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Seaham's crime profile in September 2023 revealed an unexpected surge in 'Other crime', a category that rose 150% compared to the previous month. This spike, which included unclassified offences, contrasts sharply with the overall crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents — 10% below the UK average of 8.0. The area's violent crime rate (3.1 per 1,000) remained 13% above the national benchmark, a figure that aligns with the presence of a significant student population and the area's proximity to educational institutions. Property crime, which accounted for 38% of all incidents, showed a more balanced distribution compared to earlier months, with shoplifting and other thefts making up 16.5% of the total. The seasonal context of September — marked by the start of the academic year and shorter evenings — may have influenced patterns, with anti-social behaviour falling by 51% as social activity shifted indoors. Criminal damage and arson rose by 13.6%, potentially reflecting increased maintenance work or seasonal factors such as the start of the heating season. The area's lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime (38% below UK levels) and public order offences (68% below) suggest a relatively stable environment for daily life, though the sharp increase in 'Other crime' warrants further analysis to understand its drivers. This month's data underscores the combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and crime patterns, with Seaham's position as a built-up area within County Durham shaping its unique security profile.

The most striking shift in September was a 150% surge in 'Other crime', rising from 2 to 5 incidents. This category, which includes unclassified or less common offences, saw the largest month-on-month increase. In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell by 51.1%, from 45 to 22 cases — a drop consistent with the seasonal slowdown in social activity as nights draw in. Violent crimes, which accounted for 42.5% of all incidents, remained significantly above the UK average (13% higher), while public order offences fell 68% below the national rate. The category of criminal damage and arson also rose by 13.6%, potentially linked to increased property maintenance activity as the weather turns colder. Vehicle crime dropped 38% below the UK average, a trend that may reflect the area's lower concentration of car parks and commuter traffic compared to larger urban centres.

Seaham's crime rate in September 2023 stood at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, a 9.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.0 per 1,000. This drop aligns with seasonal patterns typical of late summer, when university freshers arrive and nights grow shorter, potentially reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 6 reported crimes per day over the month — a figure that, while consistent with historical averages for built-up areas in County Durham, remains lower than the UK-wide average when adjusted for population density. Monthly exposure reveals that over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 138 residents. This ratio, when contextualised against Seaham's population of 26,653, illustrates that the local community faces a relatively low risk of victimisation compared to other areas of similar size. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite fluctuations in specific crime categories, the overall crime profile remains stable and below the national benchmark.