Birtley Crime Rate

Birtley offers a stable safety environment with an overall crime rate of 99.6 per 1,000 people. This figure is slightly above the UK average of 91.7, yet the area maintains a high safety score of 77/100, placing it just below the national average of 79. This indicates that while crime is present, the area remains a secure place for residents. The crime trend is currently classified as stable, showing only a modest 2.4% increase year-over-year. This consistency allows residents to have a predictable understanding of the local safety landscape. By examining the specific types of crime and the times they occur, we can gain a clearer picture of how to best maintain security in this community.

Crime Breakdown in Birtley

Birtley's crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 33.6% of all reports with 485 recorded incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (217 cases, 15.0%) and shoplifting (137 cases, 9.5%). These three categories represent the most frequent interactions between the public and law enforcement in the area.

Property crime in Birtley—encompassing burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—has a rate of 37.8 per 1,000 people. This is slightly above the UK average of 32.3. Within this group, criminal damage and arson (126 cases) and burglary (95 cases) are significant contributors. The burglary rate of 6.6 per 1,000 is a notable factor for local homeowners, representing a higher risk than in some neighbouring areas.

For the community, these statistics highlight a dual challenge: addressing the high prevalence of violent and anti-social incidents while maintaining vigilance against property-related offences. The stability of the crime rate over the last year suggests these patterns are established, making consistent security practices essential for residents and business owners alike.

Crime Trends in Birtley

The crime trend in Birtley is currently classified as stable, with a minor 2.4% increase in total crimes over the last year. This suggests that the area is not experiencing any significant surge in criminal activity, but rather maintaining a consistent level. Monthly data shows some variation, with the crime rate peaking in July 2025 at 9.7 per 1,000 residents and June 2025 at 9.5.

The lowest crime rate during this period was recorded in January 2025, with 6.9 crimes per 1,000 people. These monthly fluctuations indicate that while the overall trend is stable, certain times of the year—particularly the summer months—see slightly higher levels of reported incidents. For residents, this stability means that long-term safety planning can be based on reliable patterns. However, the slight upward move of 2.4% serves as a reminder to stay consistent with home and personal security practices throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Birtley

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Birtley, making up over a third of all recorded incidents. While this category covers a broad range of offences, maintaining personal safety in public is always a priority.

To stay safe, it is recommended to remain aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone in the evening. Stick to well-populated and brightly lit streets, and avoid shortcuts through parks or unlit alleyways. Since anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, if you encounter large groups that make you feel uneasy, it is best to cross the street or head toward a busy shop or public building. For homeowners, the burglary rate suggests that basic security measures should be strictly followed—always double-check that doors and windows are locked, even when you are home. Additionally, keeping high-value items out of sight from ground-floor windows can reduce the risk of opportunistic theft. Engaging with local community safety groups can also help you stay informed about any specific local issues or hotspots.

Crime Timing in Birtley

Crime in Birtley follows specific temporal patterns that are important for residents to understand. During the morning and afternoon, theft and shoplifting are the most common offences, making up 38% and 40% of crimes in those periods respectively. This aligns with the peak operating hours of local businesses and higher footfall in commercial areas.

As evening falls, the data shows a shift toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which account for 47% of incidents between 6pm and midnight. This reflects the typical increase in social activity during these hours. Overnight, from midnight to 6am, vehicle crime becomes the most significant concern, representing 38% of all reported incidents. Burglary also remains a consistent threat throughout the day and night, with its highest proportional impact seen in the afternoon (27%) and night (26%). This data suggests that while daytime vigilance is needed for personal and retail theft, property and vehicle security should be the primary focus during the evening and overnight hours.

Birtley sits in a diverse regional context regarding crime rates. Compared to the nearby village of Kibblesworth, which has a very high rate of 192.1 per 1,000, Birtley is significantly safer. However, it is more active than Pelton and Ouston, which recorded 87.0 crimes per 1,000. For those seeking the quietest local areas, Springwell (25.2) and Urpeth (18.7) offer much lower crime rates. Birtley's position as a larger urban settlement with more commercial activity naturally results in a higher crime volume than these smaller outlying villages, but it remains a middle-ground option for safety within the local authority area.

Enhanced Security Solutions in Birtley

Birtley's property crime rate of 37.8 per 1,000 people highlights a persistent need for effective home security. While many residents rely on traditional CCTV or DIY doorbell cameras, these systems are fundamentally reactive. They are designed to capture evidence of a crime after it has already occurred, which often leaves homeowners dealing with the aftermath of a break-in or vehicle theft.

A more effective approach is proactive protection offered by scOS. This AI-powered operating system is designed to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring all camera feeds simultaneously with boundary intelligence, scOS can identify a threat the moment someone enters your property. Whether it's detecting a vehicle with cloned plates using DVLA verification or activating autonomous deterrents like lights and speakers, scOS disrupts the criminal's decision-making process. Most burglars make a choice within 60 seconds; seeing a professional, active security system like scOS often makes them move on to an easier target. For Birtley residents, this shift from recording to preventing is a vital step in property protection.