Birtley Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Birtley's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 8.2 per 1,000 residents, placing the built-up area 2.4% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, accounting for 40.7% of all incidents, with a rate of 3.3 per 1,000—16% higher than the UK average for this category. Criminal damage and arson followed closely, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000, 61% above the national average. Public order offences also showed a marked disparity, sitting at 1.0 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. These figures suggest a concentration of incidents in areas where social activity is more pronounced, potentially linked to Birtley's built-up character and proximity to Gateshead's urban core. The seasonal context of May, with its extended evenings and bank holidays, likely contributed to the increased prevalence of public order and violence-related crimes. Anti-social behaviour, while decreasing by 18.8% from April, still remained below the UK average by 38%, indicating a persistent challenge in managing disruptive conduct in the area. The relatively low rates of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000) suggest that property crime may be less prevalent in this particular built-up area, due to higher levels of community engagement or effective local policing. Overall, the crime profile reflects a mix of urban dynamics and seasonal influences, with the most significant spikes in categories tied to interpersonal conflict and public space management.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in May 2024 was the 250% surge in criminal damage and arson, rising from four to 14 incidents. This sharp increase, coupled with a 133.3% rise in public order offences, points to a notable shift in crime dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 40.7% of total crimes, remained the most prevalent category, significantly outpacing the UK average by 16%. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 33.3% compared to April, despite the UK average for this category being 0.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 18.8%, though it still lagged behind the UK average by 38%. The 100% increase in 'other crime' highlights a growing trend in less-defined categories, which may warrant closer attention from local authorities. These fluctuations align with May's seasonal context, where longer evenings and bank holidays could have contributed to increased social activity and associated incidents.

Birtley's crime rate rose by 26.9% in May 2024 compared to the previous month, moving from 6.4 to 8.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while significant, still places the area 2.4% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of four reported incidents each day in May, reflecting a consistent presence of criminal activity across the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 123 residents, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents in relation to the local population. While this monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average (which would be calculated separately), it highlights the need for continued community vigilance. The population-scaled perspective shows that the rate remains manageable, with most residents unlikely to experience direct victimisation. However, the shift in crime patterns from April to May suggests seasonal factors may be influencing certain categories, particularly those tied to outdoor activity and socialising.