Wolsingham Crime Rate

Wolsingham is a secure urban settlement in County Durham, with an overall crime rate of 55.3 per 1,000 residents. This is well below the UK average of 93.1, earning the area a safety score of 86/100. While the area is statistically safe, the trend direction shows a 19.1% increase in crime year-over-year, indicating a need for continued community awareness. Property crime in Wolsingham is particularly low at 15.7 per 1,000, which is less than half the national average of 32.9. This data suggests that while Wolsingham is experiencing a slight rise in activity, it remains a significantly safer place to live than many other parts of the country.

Crime Breakdown in Wolsingham

Wolsingham's crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which make up 43.2% of all reports (35 crimes). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, accounting for 16.1% of incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson at 11.1%. Together, these categories represent the majority of local police concerns.

Property crime in Wolsingham is relatively low, with a rate of 15.7 per 1,000 residents. This includes burglary and vehicle crime, both of which were recorded 3 times over the last year (3.7% each), and 'other theft,' which accounted for 9.9% of total crime. For residents and homeowners, this indicates that while the overall risk of property theft is lower than the national average, it remains a present factor. The combination of burglary and vehicle crime, though low in volume, suggests that standard home and vehicle security measures are necessary to maintain the area's safety score of 86/100.

Crime Trends in Wolsingham

Wolsingham has seen a 19.1% increase in crime over the last year, moving from a very low baseline to a more active profile. The monthly trend data shows a significant rise in activity during the middle of 2025. While the start of the year was relatively quiet, with rates between 2.1 and 2.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, the rate climbed to 7.5 in June and peaked at 8.9 in September 2025.

This upward trajectory suggests that the area is experiencing more frequent incidents than in previous years. However, the dip to 0.7 in August 2025 shows that these spikes can be temporary. For residents, the overall increase means that while Wolsingham is still a safe environment, the trend is currently moving in the wrong direction. Maintaining high standards of home and vehicle security is increasingly important as these local patterns evolve.

How To Keep Safe in Wolsingham

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Wolsingham, representing 43.2% of incidents. While many of these cases are not random, personal safety and awareness remain important. Here are some practical tips for Wolsingham residents:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the village during the evening, particularly in less populated areas, and stick to well-lit routes.
2. Given that vehicle crime peaks at 31% during the night, always park in a well-lit area or a secure garage if available, and never leave valuables on display.
3. With burglary incidents increasing to 20% of total crime during the night hours, ensure all ground-floor windows and doors are double-locked before retiring for the evening.
4. Support the local community by joining or starting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme; these are proven to reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
5. Invest in a proactive security system that can alert you to activity on your property boundary, allowing you to react before an intruder attempts to enter.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Wolsingham

The timing of crimes in Wolsingham shows a clear shift in nature throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 52% and 57% of incidents respectively. These are likely opportunistic crimes occurring when commercial and residential activity is at its highest.

However, as night falls, the risk profile changes. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' crimes (including violence and ASB) rise to 49%, while burglary and vehicle crime combined make up 27%. The most significant shift occurs between midnight and 6am, where vehicle crime surges to 31% of all recorded incidents and burglary reaches its peak at 20%. This data highlights that while the village is busy with theft during the day, the night hours are the primary time for property-related offences, particularly those targeting vehicles and homes.

In the local context of County Durham, Wolsingham sits in the middle of the safety spectrum. It is considerably safer than Tow Law, which has a much higher crime rate of 80.6 per 1,000. However, it experiences more crime than Stanhope, which recorded a rate of 44.8. For those seeking the absolute lowest crime rates in the immediate vicinity, Frosterley and Hamsterley both reported zero crimes per 1,000 residents. Wolsingham's rate of 55.3 reflects its status as a larger local hub compared to these smaller villages, but it still maintains a very favourable safety profile when compared to regional averages and larger urban centres.

With Wolsingham's crime rate increasing by 19.1% and property crime still a factor, homeowners should look beyond traditional reactive security. Most standard CCTV systems only record a crime while it is happening, which does little to prevent the initial loss or the resulting trauma. In Wolsingham, where vehicle crime and burglary peak during the night, a more advanced approach is required.

scOS provides a proactive security solution by using AI to detect threats before they reach your property. Unlike standard cameras, scOS monitors all angles simultaneously and can identify suspicious patterns, such as someone loitering near your vehicle at 3am. By activating deterrents like lights and audio alerts autonomously, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Wolsingham residents, this means moving from simply having evidence of a crime to preventing it entirely, ensuring your home remains a safe haven in a changing statistical landscape.