Stanhope Crime Rate

Stanhope is one of the safer urban settlements in the region, boasting an impressive safety score of 89/100, which far exceeds the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate is remarkably low at 44.8 per 1,000 people, representing less than half of the national average of 93.1. Furthermore, the area is seeing a positive trend with crime rates decreasing by 5.2% year-over-year. This combination of a high safety score and a downward trend makes Stanhope an attractive location for those prioritising security. However, within this generally safe environment, certain crime types like burglary remain a point of focus. This report provides a detailed analysis of local crime data to help residents understand and mitigate their specific risks.

In Stanhope, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 36.0% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 19.7%, followed by burglary, which is notably high at 12.2%. Property crime as a whole is a significant concern for the community, with a combined rate of 14.9 per 1,000 people. This includes not only burglary but also other theft (8.2%), vehicle crime (4.1%), and criminal damage (8.2%). For residents and homeowners, the relatively high percentage of burglary compared to other areas suggests that physical home security and proactive monitoring are essential to protecting assets and maintaining the area's otherwise high safety standing.

Stanhope is currently benefiting from a decreasing trend in crime, with total offences down by 5.2% year-over-year. This is a positive indicator for the community's long-term safety. Monthly data from late 2024 and 2025 shows a relatively stable environment, though there are occasional fluctuations. The lowest rates were recorded in November and December 2024 (1.8 per 1,000), while the highest peak occurred in September 2025 (6.1 per 1,000). Despite these minor spikes, the overall trajectory remains downward. For residents, this means the area is maintaining its high safety standards, though the occasional monthly surge highlights that crime prevention should remain a constant priority.

How To Keep Safe in Stanhope

While Stanhope is very safe overall, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, followed by anti-social behaviour. However, the relatively high rate of burglary is the most significant concern for homeowners in the area.

To maintain your safety and secure your property, we recommend:

• 24-Hour Security: With burglaries peaking in both the afternoon and at night, ensure your home security system is active at all times, not just when you are asleep.
• Secure All Entry Points: Ensure all windows and doors have high-quality locks. Burglars in rural-urban settlements often look for easy, opportunistic entry points.
• Vehicle Vigilance: Although vehicle crime is low, it peaks at night. Always park in well-lit areas and ensure no valuables are left inside the car.
• Visible Deterrence: Use gravel paths, motion-activated lights, and visible security signage. Burglars are less likely to target a home that presents a high risk of being heard or seen.
• Community Awareness: Join a local watch scheme. Sharing information about suspicious vehicles or individuals can significantly help in preventing property crime in smaller communities like Stanhope.

Crime timing in Stanhope reveals a very specific and unusual pattern, particularly regarding property crime. Burglary is a persistent threat throughout the day, but it reaches its highest intensity during the night (12am - 6am), accounting for 47% of all crimes in that period. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is also a high-risk window, where burglary makes up 45% of reported incidents. This suggests that thieves are targeting homes both when residents are out at work and when they are asleep. Theft-related crimes are more concentrated in the morning (36%) and afternoon (34%), likely coinciding with business and retail hours. Vehicle crime, while less frequent overall, shows a clear peak at night, representing 25% of offences during the early hours. This data underscores the need for robust, 24-hour property protection in Stanhope.

Within the County Durham region, Stanhope stands out as a particularly safe community. It compares very favourably to larger nearby settlements such as Tow Law, which has a much higher crime rate of 80.6 per 1,000, and Wolsingham at 55.3. While it cannot match the zero-crime statistics of the tiny rural hamlets of Frosterley and Eastgate, Stanhope offers a high level of security for an area of its size and activity level. For residents or those considering moving to the area, Stanhope represents a very safe middle ground, providing more amenities than the smallest villages while maintaining a significantly lower crime profile than the surrounding towns.

Despite Stanhope's excellent overall safety score, the burglary rate is a specific concern, accounting for 12.2% of all crimes. In an area where burglaries are almost equally likely in the afternoon (45%) and at night (47%), traditional security systems that only record footage are often insufficient. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered intelligence to detect and deter threats before they result in a break-in. By monitoring your property boundaries 24/7, scOS can distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously activate lights and speakers, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. This proactive approach is designed to prevent the crime from happening in the first place, ensuring that your home remains a sanctuary. In Stanhope, where property crime is a focused risk, the advanced deterrence of scOS provides the highest level of home protection.