Darlington Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 112,489 residents, Darlington recorded 1,082 crimes in January 2024—a rate of 9.6 per 1,000 people, 29.7% above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 104 residents over the course of the month, a figure that underscores the localised impact of crime on daily life. The crime profile reveals a pronounced focus on violent and property-related offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34.2% of all reports. This category alone exceeds the UK average by 27%, consistent with Darlington's role as a mixed-use urban centre with a significant retail presence. Anti-social behaviour (12.9% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (12.2% of total crimes) also feature prominently, both surpassing UK rates by margins exceeding 20%. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the pattern of crimes observed, with fewer outdoor activities potentially limiting opportunities for theft and public order offences. However, the sharp rise in burglary cases (up 216.7% from December 2023) suggests additional factors at play, possibly linked to increased home security lapses during colder months or shifts in criminal strategy.

January 2024 saw a dramatic 216.7% increase in burglary cases, rising from 24 to 76. This spike may partly explain the area's elevated crime rate compared to the UK average, with burglary alone contributing 7.0% of total crimes. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50%, dropping from six to three incidents—a shift consistent with reduced pedestrian activity during colder months. The crime mix also revealed stark disparities: violence and sexual offences accounted for 34.2% of all reported crimes, 27% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour and criminal damage were 21% and 111% above national rates respectively. These figures suggest a concentration of property-related and public order issues that diverge sharply from the UK profile, with no comparable drop observed in vehicle crime or other theft categories.

Darlington's January 2024 crime rate of 9.6 per 1,000 residents marks a 5.7% decrease from December 2023's 10.2 per 1,000. This slight decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as January typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours curbing outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, 35 crimes were reported in the month, translating to a localised figure of roughly one crime for every 104 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate highlights the persistent presence of crime in the area, though the population-scaled perspective reveals that Darlington's rate remains significantly higher than the UK average. The local context suggests that while the overall trend is downward, the concentration of specific crime types—such as violent offences and anti-social behaviour—continues to outpace national benchmarks by margins exceeding 20% in several categories.