Gateshead Crime Rate

Gateshead local authority reports an overall crime rate of 111.2 per 1,000 people, a figure that sits above the UK national average of 91.6. Despite this, the borough maintains a safety score of 75/100, reflecting a resilient community environment. Recent statistics show a stable trend in criminal activity, with a year-over-year decrease of 3.9%. This suggests that while Gateshead faces the typical challenges of a major urban area—including high-traffic retail centres and a transient population—efforts to manage and reduce crime are proving effective. This analysis explores the borough's crime breakdown, property risks, and regional context to help residents and visitors understand the local safety landscape.

Gateshead is a major urban local authority in North East England, characterised by a diverse mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. As a key part of the Tyneside conurbation, the borough's crime statistics are influenced by its significant economic hubs, most notably the Metrocentre—one of Europe's largest shopping centres—and the vibrant Gateshead Quays. These areas attract a high volume of transient visitors and shoppers, which naturally correlates with higher rates of retail-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

The population density is high in the central urban areas, while the borough also extends into more suburban and semi-rural neighbourhoods. Major transport links, including the A1 and the Tyne and Wear Metro, facilitate high mobility, which can impact crime patterns. Economic factors also play a role; like many post-industrial areas, Gateshead has pockets of deprivation that can influence crime rates. However, the borough's safety score of 75/100 suggests that despite these urban pressures, many parts of Gateshead remain relatively secure for the local population.

The crime profile of Gateshead is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 32.3% of all reported incidents, totalling 7,284 crimes annually. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 16.7%, followed by shoplifting at 10.2%. These figures reflect the urban nature of the borough, where high-traffic retail areas and nightlife contribute to the top three categories.

Property crime in Gateshead is a significant consideration for residents, with an overall rate of 40.4 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the UK average of 32.2. This category includes a broad range of offences: burglary (4.5 per 1,000), vehicle crime (4.8 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson (10.5 per 1,000). Other theft also accounts for 6.2% of the total crime. For homeowners, this means that while violent crime is the most frequent report, the combined volume of property-related offences presents a tangible risk. Protecting homes against burglary and criminal damage, particularly in more densely populated urban wards, is essential for maintaining personal and financial security in the borough.

The crime trend in Gateshead is currently stable, with a 3.9% decrease in reported incidents year-over-year. This indicates a positive, albeit gradual, improvement in the borough's safety profile. Monthly data from 2025 reveals that crime rates remained relatively consistent throughout the year, typically hovering between 8.8 and 10.3 crimes per 1,000 people.

The highest activity was recorded in October (10.3) and August (10.1), suggesting a slight increase in reports during the late summer and early autumn. Conversely, the lowest rates were seen in February (7.9) and January (8.8). This pattern suggests that criminal activity in Gateshead is somewhat influenced by seasonal factors, with higher volumes during the warmer months and around the transition into autumn. For residents, the overall stability and slight downward trend offer reassurance that the borough is not experiencing a surge in criminal activity, but rather a steady management of existing urban challenges.

In the context of the North East, Gateshead (111.2 crimes per 1,000) serves as a central urban hub. When compared to similar areas in the regional data, it shows a higher reported crime rate than Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland, which all recorded negligible rates in this specific dataset. This disparity likely highlights Gateshead's role as a major commercial and transport nexus, where crime is more concentrated than in the surrounding residential or coastal districts. For those considering the region, Gateshead offers the amenities of a large urban borough but requires a higher level of security awareness than its more suburban or rural neighbours like County Durham or Hartlepool.

With a property crime rate of 40.4 per 1,000 residents, Gateshead homeowners face a higher-than-average risk of burglary, theft, and criminal damage. In such an environment, traditional security measures like standard CCTV or DIY doorbell cameras are often inadequate. These systems are reactive; they provide you with a recording of your property being violated, but they do little to stop the act itself.

To truly protect a home in Gateshead, a proactive approach is necessary. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to prevent crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS identifies threats in real-time. Whether it’s a suspicious individual loitering or a vehicle with cloned plates, scOS detects the anomaly and can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio warnings. This destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an urban area where most criminal decisions are made in under 60 seconds, the visible and active deterrence of scOS makes your property an unattractive target, providing professional-grade security that traditional systems simply cannot match.

How To Keep Safe in Gateshead

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes across the Gateshead local authority. While many of these incidents are not random, taking general safety precautions is advisable for all residents and visitors.

1. Stay alert when using major transport hubs or walking through central urban areas, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit, busy streets where possible.
2. If you are a business owner or frequent shopper, be aware of the high shoplifting rates in retail centres. Report any suspicious behaviour to security staff or the police immediately to help deter 'business crime'.
3. Secure your home with modern, proactive security measures. With a property crime rate above the national average, ensuring your property is a difficult target is essential for deterring burglary and criminal damage.
4. When parking in public areas, ensure no valuables are left on display. Vehicle crime is a persistent issue in urban centres, and opportunistic thieves often target cars with visible items.
5. Participate in or start a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Community vigilance is one of the most effective ways to reduce anti-social behaviour and property crime in residential areas.