Willington (County Durham) Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Willington (County Durham) reveal a concerning picture. Over the period from January 2025 to December 2025, the area recorded a crime rate of 128.8 per 1,000 residents. This is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, placing Willington amongst the areas with elevated safety concerns. While a decrease of -19.9% year-on-year offers a glimmer of hope, the overall level of crime remains a significant issue for the community. Understanding the types of crimes prevalent and the underlying factors is crucial for developing effective preventative measures and improving the safety and wellbeing of residents. The safety score for Willington stands at 71/100, further illustrating the challenges faced.

Willington (County Durham) exhibits a concerning pattern of crime, with Violence and sexual offences representing the most significant category, accounting for 37.0% of all recorded incidents. These crimes totalled 297 occurrences over the period from January 2025 to December 2025. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, registering 191 crimes and representing 23.8% of the total. Criminal damage and arson contribute another 10.5% with 84 incidents. Overall, property crime in Willington stands at 35.2 per 1,000 residents, a figure slightly above the national average, suggesting vulnerabilities within the community. The prevalence of these crime types reflects a complex interplay of factors including socio-economic conditions, local infrastructure, and community engagement.

Crime in Willington has shown a positive trend, decreasing by -19.9% year-on-year. Examining monthly data reveals fluctuations; January 2025 recorded 10.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, while February saw a drop to 6.9. A peak occurred in July with 13.3 per 1,000, followed by a notable decline in October to 7.9. The final months of the year, November and December, saw a return to higher levels, with 11.9 and 13.3 per 1,000 respectively. While the overall downward trend is encouraging, these fluctuations highlight the need for continued monitoring and targeted interventions to maintain this positive trajectory.

How To Keep Safe in Willington

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s vital to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and consider walking with a friend or using well-populated routes. With anti-social behaviour also a concern, report any suspicious activity to the police. Secure your home and outbuildings properly, ensuring windows and doors are locked. Regarding criminal damage, report any instances promptly and consider installing security lighting. Finally, be vigilant about your personal belongings in public places to prevent theft.

Crime patterns in Willington demonstrate a varied distribution throughout the day. Burglary risks are slightly higher during the night (12am-6am), while vehicle crime is also elevated during these hours. Theft tends to be more prevalent during commercial hours in the afternoon, while overall crime is spread across the day. The evening hours (6pm-12am) see a higher proportion of other crimes, potentially linked to increased social activity. Understanding these patterns can inform personal safety precautions and targeted preventative measures.

Comparing Willington's crime rate to neighbouring areas presents a varied picture. Byers Green and Hunwick report significantly lower crime rates at 0.0 per 1,000, highlighting a stark contrast. Crook, however, mirrors Willington’s challenges with a rate of 133.2 per 1,000, suggesting a regional pattern. Billy Row presents a slightly lower rate of 50.6 per 1,000, indicating that while Willington faces heightened challenges, neighbouring areas also experience varying degrees of crime. This comparison underscores the importance of targeted interventions and community-specific strategies.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide valuable footage after a burglary has occurred. Reading crime statistics is one thing; proactively preventing crime is another. Consider a system like scOS, which uses AI to detect threats at your property boundary. This system, with its multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification, can identify suspicious activity before it escalates into a break-in. The pattern learning feature recognises your family and deliveries, minimising false alarms. The visible deterrence of professional-grade equipment, and the autonomous response of lights and speakers, often makes burglars reconsider their actions – the right security system makes that 60-second decision easy - they move on. While DIY security options have their place, a proactive approach offers a significantly higher level of protection.