Ushaw Moor and Bearpark Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In March 2024, Ushaw Moor and Bearpark recorded 39 crimes across a population of 6,214, translating to a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the area 18.2% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently lower-than-average level of criminal activity. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18%) and criminal damage and arson (15.4%). These patterns may reflect the area’s character as a built-up district within County Durham, where community interactions and local tensions could contribute to the prominence of violent and disorderly incidents. Seasonal factors also likely played a role, as March marks the transition to spring, with longer evenings influencing outdoor activities and associated risks. While property crimes accounted for 33% of total incidents, their share has declined compared to previous months, with shoplifting, burglary, and other theft each falling by 50% from February. This reduction may be linked to the area’s relatively small size and the potential for increased visibility of criminal activity, which could deter offenders. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—now 72% above the UK average—suggests a need for closer examination of localized factors, such as targeted vandalism or environmental concerns. The balance between violent and property crimes remains a key consideration for local authorities, as the former continues to dominate the crime picture despite overall lower rates compared to the UK. This interplay of factors underscores the importance of maintaining community-focused policing strategies that address both immediate incidents and underlying trends.

March 2024 marked significant fluctuations in crime types, with violence and sexual offences surging by 60% compared to February, rising from 10 to 16 incidents. This increase, while notable, remained 3% below the UK average for this category. Concurrently, public order offences and criminal damage and arson both doubled, reflecting a 100% month-on-month increase. These spikes may partly explain the shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes now comprising 41% of all reported incidents, compared to property crimes at 33%. Burglary, other theft, and shoplifting each fell by 50%, aligning with a broader trend of reduced property-related crime in the area. This decline contrasts sharply with the 72% increase in criminal damage and arson, which exceeded the UK average by a wide margin. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences—now at 2 incidents—offers a concrete example of how local crime patterns can shift rapidly, even within a small community.

March 2024 saw a 5.5% increase in the crime rate compared to February’s 6.0 per 1,000 residents, bringing the current rate to 6.3 per 1,000. This shift, though modest, suggests a fluctuation in local patterns that may align with seasonal transitions as daylight hours extend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day in March, a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity within a small population of 6,214. Over the course of the month, this translated to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for roughly every 159 residents—a ratio that, while not alarmingly high, remains a tangible reminder of the risks faced by local communities. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even a single incident can have a noticeable impact on a tightly knit area like Ushaw Moor and Bearpark, where a small number of crimes can dominate local awareness and concern.