Bedlington Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 17,198, 164 crimes in January 2024 equate to one reported crime for every 105 residents. This translates to a crime rate of 9.5 per 1,000 people, placing Bedlington 28.4% above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.8% of all crimes (62 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (19.5%) and criminal damage and arson (15.9%). These figures contrast sharply with the UK averages for these categories, with violence and sexual offences 38% above the national rate and anti-social behaviour 92% above. Seasonal factors likely contribute to these patterns, as January follows the post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter days potentially influencing crime dynamics. The high proportion of violent crime may reflect local social patterns or the town's character as a built-up area within a rural county, where community tensions or limited policing resources could play a role. Meanwhile, property crimes (55 incidents) formed a smaller share of total crimes compared to violent crime, suggesting a different risk profile than more urban areas where property crime often dominates.

January saw significant fluctuations in specific crime types compared to December 2023. Public order offences surged by 100%, rising from 7 to 14 incidents, while shoplifting increased by 75% (12 to 21). Robbery also rose sharply, with one incident reported in January after none in December. These increases may reflect the post-holiday period, when alcohol-related incidents or disrupted routines could contribute to public disorder. Conversely, other theft and other crime categories fell by 75% and 66.7% respectively, indicating potential seasonal variations in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, with a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 (37.8% of total crimes), 38% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also stood out, with a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 (92% above the UK average), highlighting a local challenge in managing community disorder. Vehicle crime and burglary were both significantly below the UK average, with vehicle crime 80% lower and burglary 72% lower. This contrast may reflect Bedlington's character as a built-up area with fewer vehicles in residential zones or more secure properties compared to larger urban centres.

The crime rate in January 2024 (9.5 per 1,000) was a 3.0% decrease from December's rate of 9.8 per 1,000, suggesting a slight seasonal decline in overall crime. On a daily basis, 5 crimes were reported per day in January, a figure that contextualises the monthly total in terms of local rhythms. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 105 residents, providing a tangible sense of risk for residents. This monthly exposure rate is particularly notable when compared to the UK average, which would be lower given Bedlington's elevated overall rate. The population-scaled perspective reveals that for every 1,000 people in Bedlington, 9.5 crimes occurred compared to 7.4 nationally, indicating a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. The contrast between Bedlington's elevated rates for violent and anti-social crimes and its lower rates for property crimes suggests a different set of challenges than more urban areas where property crime often dominates. This discrepancy may reflect the town's unique demographics, infrastructure, or policing strategies, requiring further analysis to identify effective mitigation approaches.