Wingate Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wingate's overall crime rate in September 2024 stood at 9.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 18.2% above the UK average of 7.7. This figure highlights a persistent challenge for the built-up area within County Durham, which combines urban density with rural proximity. The most significant contributors to the local crime picture were criminal damage and arson (28.6% of all crimes), violence and sexual offences (26.5%), and shoplifting (16.3%). These patterns align with seasonal rhythms, as September marks the transition from summer to autumn—a period when school and university term changes may influence local dynamics. While direct causation, the timing of these crimes may be consistent with increased foot traffic in retail areas or heightened tensions during the return to structured routines. The high rate of criminal damage and arson, 364% above the UK average, suggests a specific vulnerability in the area, linked to property types or community engagement factors. Meanwhile, the relatively lower incidence of anti-social behaviour (23% below the UK average) and vehicle crime (56% below) indicates that some aspects of Wingate’s crime profile remain distinct from national trends. This month’s data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk categories while recognising areas of relative strength.

September 2024 saw notable reductions in several crime categories, including a 66.7% decrease in vehicle crime and 33.3% drops in burglary and public order offences. These declines may reflect improved policing in parking areas or a seasonal shift in criminal activity away from outdoor spaces as nights grew shorter. Conversely, shoplifting surged by 166.7%, rising from three to eight incidents—a sharp increase that could indicate targeted retail theft strategies or heightened opportunities during the post-summer period. The rise in drugs-related crimes (+100%) and 'other crime' (+100%) suggests emerging trends that warrant closer attention. Wingate’s rate of criminal damage and arson (2.6 per 1,000) remains 364% above the UK average, far outpacing national figures. This category alone accounts for nearly a third of all crimes, suggesting a need for focused prevention efforts. In contrast, anti-social behaviour (0.9 per 1,000) and public order offences (0.4 per 1,000) are both below UK averages, reflecting community resilience or effective local initiatives. For residents, the 166.7% jump in shoplifting highlights a specific risk to local businesses, with a resident likely to encounter this issue once in every 667 households this month.

Wingate’s crime rate in September 2024 (9.1 per 1,000) marked a 19.4% increase from the previous month’s rate of 7.6, indicating a significant upward trend over the past 30 days. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of two crimes per day—a figure that, while modest, represents a consistent presence in the community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 110 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for vigilance. This figure is particularly relevant for residents considering the local context: with a population of 5,391, even a small absolute increase in crime can have a noticeable impact on perceived safety. The shift from August to September also highlights the influence of population density and mobility, as the return of students and staff to educational institutions may have altered patterns of activity and risk. While the daily crime count remains low, the 19.4% month-on-month rise suggests that local factors—whether seasonal, economic, or social—may be contributing to this change. Residents should be aware that the 1-in-110 monthly exposure rate, though not extreme, reflects a direct correlation between population size and the frequency of reported incidents in the area.