Ushaw Moor and Bearpark Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

May 2024 saw Ushaw Moor and Bearpark maintain a crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 3.6% above the UK average of 8.4. The area's crime profile reflects a mix of community tensions and seasonal activity patterns. Anti-social behaviour, the most prevalent offence, accounted for 24.1% of all crimes, followed by violence and sexual offences (22.2%) and criminal damage and arson (16.7%). These figures align with the area's character as a small built-up area within County Durham, where seasonal transitions and increased socialising during longer evenings may contribute to heightened anti-social incidents. The relatively high rate of criminal damage and arson (1.5 per 1,000) contrasts with the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, suggesting a particular vulnerability to property-related offences. Meanwhile, the lower-than-average rates of vehicle crime (36% below UK average) and other theft (14% below) indicate that certain crime categories remain comparatively stable. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays and extended daylight—likely amplifies outdoor drinking and socialising, which may partly explain the persistent presence of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. However, the overall stability of the crime rate suggests that local policing and community initiatives may be maintaining a degree of control over more serious incidents.

May 2024 revealed stark fluctuations in specific crime categories, with public order offences surging by 500% (from 1 to 6) and criminal damage and arson jumping 350% (from 2 to 9). These increases, though concentrated in a few categories, highlight the volatility of local crime patterns. The significant drop in violence and sexual offences (-40%, from 20 to 12) contrasts sharply with the rise in other areas, potentially reflecting seasonal shifts in activity patterns or successful interventions by local authorities. Anti-social behaviour, while down 18.8% (from 16 to 13), remains the dominant crime type, with its rate (2.1 per 1,000) 45% above the UK average. This discrepancy may be attributed to the area's compact built-up nature, where limited public space and close-knit communities could amplify incidents of noise disputes or disruptive behaviour. Shoplifting fell by 36.4% (from 11 to 7), which could indicate improved retail security measures or a temporary reduction in targeted activity. The area's criminal damage and arson rate (1.5 per 1,000) is 142% above the UK average, a figure that may warrant closer examination of local property vulnerabilities. Residents might find the 36% below-average rate for vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) reassuring, though this could also reflect the area's lower car ownership or fewer parking facilities.

The crime rate in Ushaw Moor and Bearpark for May 2024 (8.7 per 1,000) is a marginal 3.6% above the UK average, a slight edge that may be attributed to the area's specific socio-economic characteristics. Compared to the previous month's rate of 8.9 per 1,000, the current figure shows a minor decline of 1.8%, indicating a broadly stable trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day in May, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 115 residents. This rate, while low compared to major urban centres, places residents in a position where they are more likely to encounter anti-social behaviour or property-related crimes than the average UK resident. The population context of 6,214 residents further underscores the localized nature of these statistics, with the area's small size meaning that individual incidents can have a more pronounced impact on the overall crime rate. The comparison to the UK average is particularly telling for categories like anti-social behaviour (45% above) and criminal damage and arson (142% above), which may reflect the built-up area's unique challenges. However, the lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime and other theft suggest that certain crime prevention strategies are effective in this specific context.