Birtley Crime Rate

Birtley reports an overall crime rate of 100.2 per 1,000 people, which is slightly above the UK national average of 91.6. Despite this, the settlement maintains a safety score of 77/100, reflecting a generally secure and stable environment for its 14,483 residents. Recent data indicates that the crime trend is stable, with a minor year-over-year increase of 3.2%. While Birtley faces common urban challenges such as violence and property-related offences, the consistent safety score suggest that it remains a reliable residential choice within the Gateshead borough. This report provides a detailed analysis of Birtley's crime types, timing, and regional comparisons to help residents understand their local safety landscape.

In Birtley, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 32.9% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common report at 15.9%, followed by shoplifting at 9.1%. These figures are characteristic of a busy urban settlement with active commercial and residential zones.

Property crime in Birtley is a notable factor, with a rate of 37.5 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average of 32.2. This category includes burglary at 5.9 per 1,000 and vehicle crime at 5.7 per 1,000. Other theft and criminal damage also contribute significantly to the local totals, at 6.2% and 8.9% respectively. For residents, this means that while personal safety is the most frequent concern, the risk of property-related offences—particularly burglary and vehicle interference—is higher than the national norm. Homeowners should focus on comprehensive security measures to protect their property and vehicles, especially during the night-time hours when these risks peak.

Birtley's crime trend is currently stable, with a minor 3.2% increase in reported incidents year-over-year. This indicates that the overall crime environment in the town remains consistent with previous years. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, peaking in July at 9.7 crimes per 1,000 people.

Other high-activity months include June (9.5) and March (9.3). The lowest crime rate was recorded in January at 6.9. The summer months appear to be the most active period for crime in the town. However, the overall stable trend suggest that Birtley is not experiencing a significant surge in criminal activity, providing a reassuring outlook for residents despite the typical seasonal fluctuations in crime reports.

How To Keep Safe in Birtley

Violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour are the most common crime types in Birtley. While the area is generally stable, taking proactive steps for personal and property safety remains a wise choice.

1. When walking in the town centre or near commercial areas, especially after dark, stay in well-lit, populated areas and remain aware of your surroundings.
2. Given the higher-than-average property crime rate, ensure your home is protected by more than just basic locks. Professional-grade security systems with visible deterrents are highly effective.
3. Vehicle crime is a persistent issue, particularly at night. Always park in a garage or well-lit area, and never leave any valuables, even low-value items, visible inside your car.
4. Business owners should be aware of the impact of shoplifting. Implementing active security measures and staff training can help reduce the frequency of this 'business crime'.
5. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity to the local police. Consistent reporting helps authorities identify hotspots and allocate resources more effectively to keep the community safe.

Crime in Birtley follows distinct temporal patterns. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is a peak period for theft and shoplifting, accounting for 40% of the incidents during that timeframe. This aligns with the town's busiest commercial hours. The morning hours (6am - 12pm) also show high theft activity at 37%.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), the focus shifts towards 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 49% of reports. Night-time (12am - 6am) is the peak window for vehicle crime (39%) and burglary (24%). These trends suggest that while commercial areas are most at risk during the day, residential property and vehicles are most vulnerable overnight. Residents should focus their security efforts on protecting their homes and cars during the hours of darkness.

In the regional context, Birtley (100.2 crimes per 1,000) occupies a middle ground for safety. It is more secure than the main Gateshead urban area (120.6) and significantly safer than Kibblesworth (186.0). However, it has a higher crime rate than the nearby residential areas of Pelton and Ouston (84.7), and is much busier than the quiet villages of Springwell (22.0) and Urpeth (20.1). For those considering the area south of Gateshead, Birtley offers a balance of urban amenities and a relatively stable crime profile, sitting between the borough's most tranquil suburbs and its higher-crime urban pockets.

In Birtley, where the property crime rate is 37.5 per 1,000, standard security measures are often not enough to deter determined criminals. Most home security systems are reactive; they record footage of a burglary or theft as it happens, but they do little to prevent the crime from occurring. By the time you receive a notification on your phone, the intruder may already be inside your home.

The scOS AI-powered operating system offers a proactive approach that is essential for Birtley residents. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, scOS identifies potential threats before they reach your door. Whether it's a suspicious person loitering or an unauthorised vehicle, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio warnings. This destroys the element of surprise and makes it clear that the property is under active protection. For Birtley homeowners, this level of professional-grade deterrence is the most effective way to ensure their home is not targeted, providing peace of mind that reactive systems simply cannot offer.