Startforth Crime Rate

Startforth Crime Overview

Startforth, an urban settlement in County Durham, currently holds an overall crime rate of 113.0 per 1,000 residents. This figure sits above the UK national average of 93.1, while the area's safety score is recorded at 72/100, compared to the UK average of 78. Despite the higher overall rate, the trend in Startforth is currently described as stable, with a modest year-over-year change of 2.8%. The property crime rate of 26.3 per 1,000 people is notably lower than the national benchmark of 32.9, suggesting that while total incidents are higher, the risk to physical property is comparatively lower. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the specific types of crime and temporal patterns within the area.

Crime Breakdown in Startforth

In Startforth, the most significant crime category is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.5% of all reported incidents. This is followed by 'other crime' at 14.0% and anti-social behaviour at 12.0%. While these figures are substantial, they reflect a trend common in many urban settlements where public-facing offences are more frequently recorded.

Property crime in Startforth, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a rate of 26.3 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Specifically, burglary accounts for 4.1% of local crime, while shoplifting and vehicle crime make up 5.5% and 1.0% respectively. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety is a priority, property-related threats remain a consistent factor that requires diligent home security and community awareness.

Startforth Crime Trends

The crime trend in Startforth is currently stable, showing a minor year-over-year increase of 2.8%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 illustrates a relatively consistent baseline, with crime rates per 1,000 people hovering between 7.4 and 9.7 for most of the year. However, a notable spike occurred in the summer of 2025, with rates climbing to 12.0 in June and reaching a peak of 13.2 in July.

Following this peak, the rate returned to 7.4 in September before rising again to 10.8 in October. This seasonal fluctuation suggests that external factors, possibly related to warmer weather or local events, influence crime levels in the mid-year months. For residents, this stability is generally reassuring, but the summer spikes highlight the importance of maintaining consistent security habits throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Startforth

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Startforth. While this category covers a broad spectrum of incidents, general awareness is key to personal safety.

When walking alone, particularly during the evening, stick to well-lit, populated routes and avoid shortcuts through isolated areas. Ensure you are aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like using your phone or wearing headphones in quiet zones.

For home safety, consider installing smart lighting that can be scheduled to make the property look occupied even when you are out. Since anti-social behaviour is also a top concern, building strong relationships with neighbours can create a more vigilant community environment where unusual activity is quickly identified and reported. Finally, always ensure that windows and doors are securely locked, even when you are at home, as a significant portion of local property crime occurs during the afternoon and evening hours.

Startforth Time-Based Crime Patterns

Analysis of crime data in Startforth reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a high proportion of 'other' crimes (51%) and theft (26%), likely coinciding with increased commercial activity and movement. As the day progresses into the afternoon, burglary becomes more prominent, accounting for 32% of incidents in this period, suggesting that unoccupied homes are being targeted while residents are at work.

During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' offences rise significantly to 63%, while theft drops to 9%. The night-time period (12am-6am) sees the highest percentage of burglary at 34%, along with a rise in vehicle crime to 9%. These statistics indicate that while the streets may be quieter at night, the risk of property-related offences increases, necessitating robust overnight security measures for homeowners and vehicle owners alike.

Nearby Area Comparison

When evaluating Startforth's safety in a regional context, it is helpful to compare it to neighbouring areas in County Durham. Barnard Castle shows a lower crime rate of 76.1 per 1,000 people, while Staindrop and Cotherstone are significantly quieter at 55.8 and 42.0 respectively. Mickleton stands out as an exceptionally low-crime area with zero reported incidents. Startforth’s higher rate of 113.0 indicates it is a more active urban centre than its immediate neighbours. For those considering the region, Startforth offers the amenities of a larger settlement but requires a more proactive approach to personal and property security than the surrounding rural villages.

Protecting Your Startforth Property

With a property crime rate of 26.3 per 1,000 residents, Startforth homeowners should prioritise effective deterrents. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but rarely stop it. In an area where burglary peaks during the night and afternoon, a more advanced approach is necessary.

The scOS home security operating system offers proactive protection by using AI to detect threats at your property boundary. Unlike standard systems that notify you after a window is broken, scOS identifies suspicious patterns in real-time, such as someone loitering near your entry points. By activating autonomous responses like lighting or audio alerts, it destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In a stable crime environment like Startforth, shifting from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to ensure your home remains a difficult target for opportunistic offenders.