Whickham Crime Rate

Whickham presents a nuanced safety profile with an overall crime rate of 117.7 per 1,000 people. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 91.7, the area maintains a respectable safety score of 76/100, which is only slightly below the national average of 79. This suggests that despite a higher volume of reported incidents, the community remains relatively secure. Recent data indicates an increasing trend in crime, with a 5.7% rise year-over-year. This upward movement highlights the importance of staying informed about local safety patterns. The following analysis provides a detailed look at crime types, trends, and time-based patterns to help residents and visitors understand the local landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Whickham

Crime in Whickham is characterized by a significant volume of violence and sexual offences, which account for 25.2% of all incidents with 455 recorded cases. This is closely followed by shoplifting, which is notably high at 437 reported crimes (24.2%), and anti-social behaviour at 272 cases (15.1%). These three categories represent the primary concerns for local law enforcement and residents alike.

Property-related crime—which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—remains a major factor in the area's safety profile. Whickham's property crime rate stands at 54.9 per 1,000 people, which is considerably higher than the UK average of 32.3. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (132 cases) and 'other theft' (119 cases) are the most frequent.

For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while violent crime is the most recorded type, the cumulative impact of property theft and shoplifting creates a challenging environment for local businesses and residential security. The elevated property crime rate underscores the necessity for robust home and business security measures to mitigate the risk of opportunistic theft and damage.

Crime Trends in Whickham

The latest data for Whickham shows a total crime increase of 5.7% compared to the previous 12-month period. This upward trend indicates a period of rising activity that warrants attention from the community. Monthly fluctuations show that crime rates peaked in May 2025 at 12.3 per 1,000 residents, followed by another significant high in August at 10.9.

Conversely, the lowest crime rate was recorded in September 2025, dropping to 7.6 per 1,000. These peaks and troughs suggest that crime in Whickham is not static but fluctuates seasonally or in response to specific local events. The overall 5.7% increase suggests that while Whickham remains a relatively safe area, there is a growing volume of reported incidents that residents should be mindful of when considering their personal and property security. Staying informed about these monthly shifts can help residents better understand when to be most vigilant.

How To Keep Safe in Whickham

Violence and sexual offences are the most recorded crime type in Whickham, accounting for over a quarter of all reported incidents. While many of these cases may involve known parties, it is essential to maintain personal awareness when in public spaces.

To enhance your safety, always try to stick to well-lit, busy routes when walking at night and avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas. When using local transport or visiting commercial hubs, keep your mobile phone and valuables secure and out of sight to avoid attracting unwanted attention. If you are out late, particularly during the evening hours when anti-social behaviour peaks, remain aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts—if a situation feels uncomfortable, move to a populated, well-lit area immediately. For businesses, given the high shoplifting rate, implementing clear sightlines and visible staff presence can act as a significant deterrent. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme can also provide valuable community-led intelligence on recent local activity.

Crime Timing in Whickham

Analysis of crime timing in Whickham reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily dominated by theft-related offences, particularly shoplifting, which accounts for 45-48% of crimes during these hours. This correlates with the opening times of local retail and commercial centres.

As the day progresses into the evening, the nature of recorded incidents shifts. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences—make up 51% of the total. This period reflects the peak for social activity and nightlife-related issues. Overnight, from midnight to 6am, the focus shifts toward property crime. During these hours, vehicle crime accounts for 33% of incidents, and burglary reaches its highest proportional peak at 22%. This suggests that while retail crime is a daytime concern, residential and vehicle security is most at risk during the hours of darkness when properties are often unattended or residents are asleep.

When comparing Whickham to its neighbours, it sits at the higher end of the crime spectrum for this part of Gateshead. Its rate of 117.7 per 1,000 is almost identical to Blaydon, which recorded 119.6. However, it is notably higher than Sunniside (82.7) and Ryton (82.1), which offer a quieter statistical profile. Rowlands Gill is the safest nearby area in this comparison, with a significantly lower rate of 71.4. For those evaluating the region, Whickham's higher rate is likely influenced by its status as a primary commercial and residential hub, attracting more transient activity than the smaller, more rural settlements like Sunniside or Rowlands Gill.

Proactive Security in Whickham

With a property crime rate of 54.9 per 1,000 people—significantly above the UK average—homeowners in Whickham should prioritise advanced security solutions. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are often reactive; they provide footage of an incident after it has occurred, which does little to prevent the initial intrusion or damage.

In contrast, scOS offers a proactive approach to home protection. By utilizing AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach your door. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly spot suspicious vehicles with cloned plates, while autonomous responses—such as activating deterrent lighting or audio alerts—can disrupt a criminal's plan within the critical first 60 seconds. In an area like Whickham, where property crime is a tangible factor, moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to ensure long-term safety and peace of mind.