Sedgefield Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In Sedgefield, a built-up area within County Durham, the per-capita risk of encountering crime in February 2026 was exceptionally low. With a crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents — 57.8% below the UK average of 6.4 — the area's residents faced a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 365 individuals. This stark contrast to national figures underscores Sedgefield's unique position as a relatively safe community. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, which occurred at a rate of 0.9 per 1,000 (31.3% of all crimes), significantly below the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. This may reflect the area's character as a small, cohesive community where local policing and social networks contribute to lower levels of violent crime. Other theft, however, emerged as an outlier, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000 — 67% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. This discrepancy could be linked to Sedgefield's local economic dynamics, such as the presence of small businesses or limited retail infrastructure that may create opportunities for theft. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, was 45% below the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000, reflecting the area's lower population density and stronger community oversight. The seasonal context of February — a winter month with reduced outdoor activity and pre-spring lull — likely contributed to the overall lower crime rate, though the absence of major events or festivals in the area means this pattern is not directly tied to tourism or large-scale gatherings. The balance between property and violent crimes in Sedgefield (property: 6, violent: 5) suggests a relatively stable environment where crime prevention efforts may be more effective in curbing property-related incidents than in addressing interpersonal conflicts.

February 2026 saw a 100% increase in 'other crime' reports, rising from 1 to 2 incidents. This shift contrasts with sharp declines in shoplifting (-80%) and vehicle crime (-50%), suggesting a reallocation of criminal activity towards less common categories. The area's 'other theft' category, at 0.7 per 1,000, exceeded the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000 by 67%, indicating a specific vulnerability in this category. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, accounting for 31.3% of all incidents — a rate of 0.9 per 1,000, 61% below the UK average. For residents, the 80% drop in shoplifting may reflect seasonal factors, as February's pre-spring lull could reduce retail-related crime. The 100% increase in 'other crime' warrants closer examination without further data on specific incidents.

Sedgefield's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 2.7 per 1,000 residents, a 38.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.5 per 1,000. This drop aligns with typical winter patterns observed in similar built-up areas of County Durham, where reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours may partly explain lower reported crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime every 28 days, translating to a localised frequency of roughly one crime per day during February. When scaled to the population of 5,835, this equates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 365 residents — a figure that contextualises the low-level risk for individuals. Compared to the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, Sedgefield's current rate remains significantly lower, though the area's unique demographic and geographic profile likely contributes to this disparity. The built-up nature of Sedgefield, combined with its relatively small population, may create a micro-environment where community cohesion and local policing efforts reduce the likelihood of crime escalation.