Tow Law Crime Rate

Tow Law is a relatively safe urban settlement with a safety score of 81/100, placing it above the UK average of 78. The area's overall crime rate is 80.6 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the national average of 93.1. Encouragingly, the latest data shows that crime in Tow Law is on a downward trend, with a 12.3% decrease in reported incidents year-over-year. While certain types of crime, such as violence and anti-social behaviour, remain present, the overall trajectory indicates a community that is becoming more secure. This overview provides a clear picture of the local safety landscape, helping residents understand the specific risks and patterns in their neighbourhood.

Crime in Tow Law

Tow Law's crime statistics are primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 40.9% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 19.4% and criminal damage and arson at 9.1%. Public order offences also make up a notable 8.6% of the total, suggesting that social friction and behavioural issues are the most common challenges in the area.

Property-related crime in Tow Law, including burglary, vehicle crime, and theft, occurs at a rate of 20.8 per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 32.9, which is a positive indicator for homeowners. Vehicle crime accounts for 5.4% of total offences, while burglary represents 4.3%. Although these rates are relatively low, the presence of criminal damage (9.1%) suggests that property is still at risk of vandalism. For residents, this means that while the threat of major theft is lower than in many other areas, maintaining general property security and vigilance against nuisance crimes remains important.

Tow Law is currently experiencing a positive trend in its safety profile, with total crime decreasing by 12.3% year-over-year. This downward trajectory is reflected in the monthly data, although there have been some notable fluctuations. The most active month was May 2025, which saw a peak crime rate of 10.4 per 1,000 people. October 2025 also showed high activity at 10.0 per 1,000.

Conversely, the winter and early spring months of 2024-2025 were much quieter, with February recording a low of 3.5 crimes per 1,000 people. While the decrease of 12.3% is significant, the recent high figures in late 2025 suggest that the trend may be starting to level off or even rise again. Residents should remain observant, as the data indicates that crime in Tow Law can be seasonal or driven by specific short-term factors. Overall, the area remains safer than it was a year ago, but continuous vigilance is recommended.

How To Keep Safe in Tow Law

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Tow Law. While these statistics often include incidents that occur in private settings, maintaining personal safety in public and communal areas is always a sensible priority for residents.

1. When walking alone at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid poorly lit shortcuts or alleyways.
2. Be aware of your surroundings in areas where anti-social behaviour is known to occur, and report any escalating situations to the local authorities.
3. For homeowners, ensuring that the exterior of your property is well-lit can deter both anti-social behaviour and potential intruders.
4. Join or support a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme; community-led vigilance is one of the most effective ways to reduce anti-social behaviour and public order offences.
5. Consider a professional security system for your home that offers proactive monitoring. Deterring threats at the boundary of your property is far more effective than recording an incident as it happens.

Crime in Tow Law exhibits distinct peaks throughout the day. The afternoon is a particularly active time for burglary, which accounts for 28% of such offences during this period. This suggests that opportunistic thieves are most active when residents are likely to be away from their homes.

During the evening, the focus shifts towards social-related offences, with other crimes (including public order and ASB) making up 49% of the activity. However, the most critical shift occurs late at night. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime surges to become the dominant threat, accounting for 43% of all reported incidents in this window. For residents, this means that while daytime safety is generally high, property and vehicle security must be a priority during the overnight hours. Ensuring cars are locked and homes are secured before midnight is essential for mitigating these specific risks.

In the local context of County Durham, Tow Law's safety profile is mixed. It is significantly more secure than Crook, which has a much higher crime rate of 132.1 per 1,000 people, and is also safer than Esh Winning (86.4). However, it is more active than Wolsingham (55.3) and Billy Row (53.2), which both enjoy lower crime rates. For those comparing areas in the region, Tow Law offers a balanced environment—it is more residential and less crime-prone than the larger local hubs, though it doesn't quite match the very low crime levels of the smallest surrounding villages. This makes it a solid choice for those seeking a safe but accessible community.

With a property crime rate of 20.8 per 1,000 people and criminal damage accounting for nearly 10% of all offences, Tow Law residents should look beyond traditional security. Standard CCTV systems often only provide evidence after a crime has been committed, which is of little comfort if your property has already been damaged or stolen. Proactive protection is particularly important in areas where nuisance crimes like vandalism are common.

The scOS operating system offers a superior alternative by focusing on prevention rather than just recording. Using advanced AI, scOS monitors all your cameras simultaneously to identify threats at the very edge of your property. In Tow Law, where vehicle crime and burglary are key overnight risks, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights or speakers the moment a threat is detected. This immediate response can discourage a potential offender before they even touch your property, providing a level of security that traditional DIY or reactive systems simply cannot match.