Hartlepool Crime Rate

Hartlepool, a significant local authority district in the North East, has an overall crime rate of 161.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is considerably higher than the UK average of 93.1, reflecting the town's dense urban nature and its role as a regional commercial hub. Consequently, Hartlepool has a safety score of 65/100, which is below the national average of 78. Despite the elevated crime rate, the trend direction is currently stable, with only a marginal 1.1% decrease year-over-year. This indicates a consistent safety environment where crime patterns have remained largely unchanged over the last twelve months. Understanding these figures is essential for residents and property owners to effectively manage their security and personal safety in the area.

About Hartlepool

Hartlepool is a large coastal town in County Durham with a rich industrial and maritime heritage. Historically significant for its shipbuilding and steel industries, the area has transitioned into a diverse economic landscape featuring a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential zones. The town serves as a major regional hub, with significant employment provided by the Port of Hartlepool, the nearby nuclear power station, and a growing renewable energy sector.

The town's crime statistics are influenced by several factors, including its high population density of nearly 100,000 residents and its role as a retail and nightlife destination for the surrounding area. Like many post-industrial towns, Hartlepool faces economic challenges that can correlate with crime rates, including pockets of deprivation and unemployment. The transient population associated with the port and the seasonal tourism along the coast also contribute to the area's activity levels. These demographic and economic factors create a complex environment where urban commercial pressures and residential needs intersect, shaping the local safety profile and the types of offences most frequently recorded by the authorities.

Crime Breakdown in Hartlepool

The primary crime concern in Hartlepool is violence and sexual offences, which constitute 32.3% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 52.1 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (18.6%) and shoplifting (14.3%). These three categories represent the majority of police activity in the district, reflecting challenges common to large urban centres.

Property crime is a significant factor for Hartlepool residents and business owners. The overall property crime rate stands at 57.7 per 1,000 people, which is considerably higher than the UK average of 32.9. This broad category includes 2,266 incidents of shoplifting, 1,331 cases of criminal damage and arson, and 549 burglaries. While burglary accounts for 3.5% of total crime, the high volume of criminal damage and other theft (4.6%) suggests a persistent risk to physical property. For homeowners, this means that while personal safety is a top-level statistic, the protection of homes and vehicles from vandalism and opportunistic theft remains a critical everyday priority to mitigate the impact of these high property crime figures.

Crime Trends in Hartlepool

The crime rate in Hartlepool is currently classified as stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 1.1%. This suggests that while crime levels remain high, they are not currently escalating. A closer look at the monthly trend data from late 2024 through 2025 shows a degree of seasonal and monthly variation.

The 12-month period began with relatively lower rates in November and December 2024, at 12.5 and 11.1 per 1,000 residents respectively. However, as 2025 progressed, the crime rate saw a significant increase, peaking in April at 15.1. The summer months remained elevated, with August recording a rate of 14.8. Towards the end of the year, the rates fluctuated but stayed above the 14.0 mark, with October finishing at 14.7. For residents, this pattern indicates that crime often spikes during the spring and summer months. The overall stability of the trend provides some predictability for local law enforcement and community safety groups as they continue to target the most prevalent crime types in the district.

When examining the regional context, Hartlepool's crime rate of 161.2 per 1,000 residents stands in contrast to several nearby areas. Data for Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Sunderland, Darlington, and South Tyneside all show significantly lower recorded crime rates in this comparison. This suggests that Hartlepool currently experiences higher levels of reported criminal activity than many of its immediate regional neighbours. For those considering the area, it is important to recognize that as a major coastal town and industrial centre, Hartlepool faces unique urban challenges that may not be as prevalent in the surrounding districts. Local safety initiatives continue to work towards aligning Hartlepool's safety profile more closely with the broader North East region.

Protecting Your Property in Hartlepool

With a property crime rate of 57.7 per 1,000 people—well above the UK average—residents of Hartlepool must take security seriously. High levels of shoplifting, criminal damage, and burglary indicate that physical assets are frequently targeted. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, often act as reactive tools, providing evidence only after a crime has been committed. In an urban environment like Hartlepool, where criminals can quickly disappear into the town's dense layout, recording the event is rarely enough to recover stolen goods or prevent damage.

Proactive protection is the only way to truly secure a property in this context. scOS offers an AI-powered security operating system that shifts the focus from recording to prevention. By identifying potential threats at the property boundary using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can intervene before a break-in occurs. Whether through autonomous lighting or audio responses, the system destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Hartlepool homeowners, scOS provides the professional-grade deterrence needed to make opportunistic criminals move on to easier targets, ensuring that the statistics don't include your home.

How To Keep Safe in Hartlepool

The most frequent crime type in Hartlepool is violence and sexual offences, representing over 32% of all recorded incidents. This high prevalence makes personal safety a primary concern for residents, particularly in busy town centre areas or during the evening.

To stay safe in Hartlepool, consider these practical steps:

1. When visiting the town centre or nightlife areas, stay with a group of friends and plan your journey home in advance using reputable taxi services.
2. Maintain high levels of situational awareness in crowded areas, as these can also be hotspots for the anti-social behaviour that makes up 18.6% of local crime.
3. Secure your business or home against shoplifting and theft by ensuring high-value items are not visible from the street and that all security systems are fully operational.
4. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities to help them identify hotspots and allocate resources effectively.
5. If you are a homeowner, invest in motion-activated external lighting and clear line-of-sight around your property to eliminate hiding spots for potential offenders.