Sedgefield Crime Rate

Sedgefield, an urban settlement in County Durham, maintains an overall crime rate of 69.2 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to Sedgefield's strong safety score of 85/100. The crime trend in the area is currently stable, with a minor 1.2% decrease year-over-year. This stability, combined with a crime rate that is well below the national norm, makes Sedgefield one of the more secure urban areas in the region. However, residents should still be aware of the local crime breakdown, particularly the prevalence of violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour, which are the most frequently reported issues in the town.

Crime Breakdown in Sedgefield

Sedgefield is a relatively safe town, with an overall crime rate of 69.2 per 1,000 residents. The most frequent reports concern violence and sexual offences (33.7%), followed by anti-social behaviour (13.1%) and shoplifting (12.6%). These categories represent the majority of local incidents and are typical for an urban settlement of this size. Criminal damage and arson also feature notably at 11.1%.

Property-related crime in Sedgefield occurs at a rate of 27.6 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK national average of 32.9. This figure includes shoplifting, other theft (9.4%), burglary (3.0%), and vehicle crime (3.0%). While the percentages for burglary and vehicle crime are low, they are present in the local landscape. For residents, the data suggests that while Sedgefield is safer than many larger towns, maintaining standard home and vehicle security is important to protect against the moderate risk of opportunistic theft and property damage.

Crime Trends in Sedgefield

The crime trend in Sedgefield is currently stable, with a minor 1.2% decrease in total reported incidents year-over-year. Monthly data from the past year reveals a relatively steady environment with some seasonal fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents reached its peak in March 2025 and August 2025 at 7.4, following a low of 3.4 in January 2025. Throughout most of 2025, the rate hovered between 5.1 and 7.4. These figures confirm that Sedgefield is a stable area where crime levels do not vary drastically, providing a predictable and secure environment for its residents.

How To Keep Safe in Sedgefield

The highest crime type in Sedgefield is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour. Staying safe involves maintaining personal awareness and basic property security.

1. Be Mindful in Public Spaces: With violence and anti-social behaviour being the most common issues, stay alert in busy town centre areas, especially during weekend evenings when social activity is highest.
2. Prioritise Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 3.0% of incidents and peaks dramatically at night. Always park in well-lit areas, use a steering lock, and ensure no valuables are visible inside.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most common issue in Sedgefield. Reporting persistent problems helps local police allocate resources and maintain the town's high safety score.
4. Secure Your Property at Night: With 16% of burglaries occurring between 12am and 6am, always double-check that all ground-floor windows and doors are securely locked before going to bed.
5. Use Motion-Activated Lighting: Install lighting around your driveway and home entrance. This is a simple but effective deterrent against opportunistic thieves who operate under the cover of darkness.

Sedgefield displays a clear relationship between time and specific crime types. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are most prominent, accounting for 51% and 56% of crimes respectively, largely driven by shoplifting. However, as night falls, the risk profile shifts; the period between 12am and 6am sees the highest percentage of vehicle crimes (28%) and a significant proportion of burglaries (16%). While overall crime volume is lower at night, these property-focused offences are most likely to occur when residents are asleep, highlighting the need for robust overnight security.

In the local context, Sedgefield's crime rate of 69.2 per 1,000 residents is very similar to nearby Fishburn (70.2) and Stillington (69.3). It is slightly safer than Trimdon (71.1) but more active than the small residential village of Bishop Middleham (26.6). This comparison highlights Sedgefield's role as a stable urban hub within the region. While it has more reported incidents than the smallest villages, it remains a very safe and secure environment for those looking to live in or visit the area.

Sedgefield's property crime rate of 27.6 per 1,000 residents is lower than the national average, but the high proportion of vehicle crime occurring at night—28% of the town's total—is a specific concern for homeowners. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of a theft after it has occurred, which is of limited use in preventing damage or recovering property.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to monitor your property's boundary in real-time. It can detect suspicious activity on your driveway or near your home before a crime is committed. By triggering autonomous responses like lighting or audio alerts, scOS destroys the element of surprise. In Sedgefield, where 28% of vehicle crime happens between 12am and 6am, having a system that actively deters criminals while you sleep is the most effective way to protect your property and maintain the town's high safety standards.