Wingate Crime Rate

Wingate, an urban settlement in County Durham, faces significant safety challenges with an overall crime rate of 133.9 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially higher than the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in a safety score of 73/100. Most concerningly, the area is showing an upward trend in criminal activity, with a 19.3% increase in total crime year-over-year. The current levels of violence, criminal damage, and property crime are high and rising. Understanding these statistics is vital for residents to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their property in an environment where criminal activity is more prevalent than the national norm and is currently increasing.

Crime Breakdown in Wingate

Wingate experiences a high overall crime rate of 133.9 per 1,000 residents, with violence and sexual offences being the most significant contributor at 27.3% (36.5 per 1,000). Criminal damage and arson are also major concerns at 19.9%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 19.4%. These top three categories reflect a challenging local environment where both personal and property safety are frequently compromised.

The property crime rate in Wingate is high at 56.0 per 1,000 residents. This figure includes shoplifting (11.9%), vehicle crime (3.9%), other theft (3.3%), and burglary (2.2%). While the percentages for burglary and vehicle crime might seem lower than violent crime, the sheer volume of incidents due to the high overall rate means that property protection is a critical necessity for every homeowner. For residents, the data indicates that protecting homes from damage, theft, and opportunistic crime should be a primary concern in their daily lives, especially as criminal damage accounts for nearly a fifth of all reports.

Crime Trends in Wingate

The crime trend in Wingate is concerning, with a significant 19.3% increase in total reported incidents year-over-year. Monthly data from the past year shows that crime rates have remained high throughout the period. The crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in May 2025 and August 2025 at 13.9, following a low of 7.2 in February 2025. Since the summer peaks, the rate has stayed elevated, ending the period at 12.1 in October 2025. This indicates that Wingate is experiencing a sustained period of increased activity, and residents should remain vigilant as the trend does not yet show signs of a major reversal.

How To Keep Safe in Wingate

The highest crime type in Wingate is violence and sexual offences, followed by criminal damage and arson. Staying safe requires a combination of personal awareness and strong property protection.

1. Reinforce Home Security: With high rates of criminal damage and property crime, ensure your home is physically secure. Use high-quality locks, reinforced doors, and consider security film for ground-floor windows.
2. Be Aware in Public Spaces: Given the prevalence of violence and public order offences, stay alert when in busy areas. Avoid unlit or isolated paths, especially at night, and travel with others whenever possible.
3. Protect Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime is a persistent issue, especially at night. Always use a steering lock, park in well-lit areas, and ensure no items—even low-value ones—are left visible inside your car.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: Reporting unusual behaviour or potential criminal damage early can help local police prevent more serious incidents and improve overall neighbourhood safety.
5. Use Visible Deterrents: Motion-activated lighting and visible security systems are essential in Wingate. Burglars and vandals are less likely to target properties where they are immediately exposed by bright lights.

Wingate shows a strong correlation between time and crime type. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are prominent, accounting for 21% and 25% of crimes respectively, largely driven by shoplifting. As night falls, the nature of crime shifts; the late-night period (12am - 6am) sees a significant rise in the proportion of vehicle crimes (27%). While violence and criminal damage occur throughout the day, the risk to property and unattended vehicles is statistically highest during these quiet overnight hours, necessitating robust 24-hour security. Additionally, the afternoon sees the highest percentage of burglaries (10%).

Wingate is situated in a region with several high-activity urban areas. Its crime rate of 133.9 per 1,000 residents is actually lower than several of its immediate neighbours, including Wheatley Hill (204.2), Trimdon Colliery (161.5), and Shotton Colliery (144.2). It is also slightly safer than Peterlee (143.4). For those living in or considering the Wingate area, it is important to understand that while it is safer than some nearby settlements, the high crime profile is a regional characteristic that requires consistent safety awareness and robust home security.

In Wingate, where the property crime rate is a high 56.0 per 1,000 residents, traditional security measures are often insufficient. Standard CCTV systems are reactive; they provide evidence after a crime has been committed, but in a high-crime area, the goal must be prevention.

scOS provides a proactive alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at the property boundary. Instead of just recording a burglary or vehicle theft, scOS intervenes in real-time with autonomous responses like lighting and audio alerts. This "boundary-first" approach is designed to stop criminals before they even reach your home. For Wingate residents, moving to proactive AI protection is the most effective way to actively defend their property against the high local risk of theft and damage.