Middlesbrough Crime Rate

Middlesbrough local authority presents a complex crime profile, with an overall rate of 182.2 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially higher than the UK average of 91.6, though the area maintains a safety score of 59/100, which is respectable for a major industrial town. The trend is currently stable, with a minor 2.7% decrease year-over-year. Property crime is a significant component of the local data, with a rate of 60.9 per 1,000—nearly double the national average of 32.2. This suggests that while Middlesbrough is a bustling regional hub, residents and business owners should be mindful of the higher volume of recorded incidents. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of the 2025 crime data.

Middlesbrough is a major urban centre in the North East, characterised by its industrial heritage and its role as a regional hub for commerce, education, and transport. The area's crime statistics are influenced by its high population density and the significant footfall generated by Teesside University, the large town centre retail sector, and a vibrant nightlife economy. As a transport nexus for the wider Tees Valley, the area naturally sees higher incident reporting than more rural neighbours. Economic factors, including pockets of significant deprivation and high unemployment in certain wards, also contribute to the local crime profile, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The transient nature of the student and commuter populations can also lead to higher volumes of opportunistic crime. Understanding Middlesbrough's statistics requires acknowledging these urban complexities, where the concentration of activity in a relatively small geographic area creates more opportunities for recorded incidents compared to quieter, purely residential districts.

Crime in Middlesbrough is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 32.1% of all reports, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.4%) and criminal damage and arson (10.4%). When looking at property crime collectively—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime—the rate stands at 60.9 per 1,000 people. This is nearly double the UK average of 32.2. Shoplifting is also a significant factor, representing 7.7% of total crime, which is often a reflection of the large retail presence in the town centre. For residents, these figures highlight a need for heightened awareness regarding both personal safety in public areas and the physical security of homes and vehicles, as the volume of property-related offences is considerable.

The crime trend in Middlesbrough is currently stable, showing a modest 2.7% decrease over the last 12 months. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates remained relatively consistent throughout the year, typically ranging between 13.2 and 16.6 per 1,000. There was a slight peak during the summer months, with August reaching the highest rate of 16.6, followed closely by October at 16.5. The lowest volumes were recorded in the early months of the year, with February at 13.2. This suggests a slight seasonal trend where crime increases during the warmer months and early autumn, a common pattern in large urban areas with significant outdoor activity. For residents, this stability indicates that while the crime rate is high, it is not currently escalating, allowing for consistent safety planning and community policing strategies.

Middlesbrough's crime rate of 182.2 per 1,000 stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding local authorities in this data period. Nearby Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool, Darlington, Sunderland, and County Durham all recorded a 0.0 crime rate in this specific dataset, likely due to different reporting boundaries or data collection periods. This positions Middlesbrough as the primary urban area for recorded activity in the region. For those considering the Teesside area, Middlesbrough represents the dense urban core where incident volumes are naturally higher due to its role as the regional centre for retail, transport, and nightlife.

With a property crime rate of 60.9 per 1,000, Middlesbrough residents face a statistically higher risk than the national average. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or basic alarms, are often reactive—they record the crime as it happens or alert you after the intruder has already entered. In a high-activity urban environment, proactive protection is a more effective strategy. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to stop crime before it occurs by detecting threats at the property boundary. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS identifies genuine risks—like a suspicious person loitering or an unauthorised vehicle—and can autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and audio warnings. This destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For those living in Middlesbrough, moving from reactive recording to a proactive AI system like scOS provides a significant advantage in preventing theft and criminal damage, ensuring your home is a difficult target in a busy urban landscape.

How To Keep Safe in Middlesbrough

Given that violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in the local authority, personal safety and awareness in public spaces are the highest priority for residents.

1. When using the town centre at night, stay in well-lit, busy areas and use licensed taxis or public transport hubs rather than walking through quiet side streets.
2. Be mindful of anti-social behaviour hotspots; reporting these to the local council or police helps direct resources to where they are most needed.
3. Secure your property with high-quality physical barriers, such as deadbolts and reinforced window locks, to combat the higher-than-average property crime rate.
4. If you own a business or work in retail, ensure you have robust security protocols to mitigate the risk of shoplifting and public order offences.
5. Avoid leaving any items on display in your vehicle, as even low-value objects can tempt opportunistic thieves in high-footfall urban areas.