Bedlington Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 17,198, Bedlington’s crime rate in January 2026 was 2.4 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 64.7% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area’s relatively low levels of criminal activity, particularly when compared to national trends. The most common crime type was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 45.2% of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (16.7%) and shoplifting (14.3%). These figures suggest a focus on non-violent, community-level issues rather than property or violent crime. Seasonal factors likely play a role in this profile: January’s post-holiday period, reduced retail footfall, and shorter daylight hours may contribute to fewer outdoor crimes, aligning with patterns observed in similar rural and semi-rural areas. Anti-social behaviour, which is 18% above the UK average, may be influenced by local demographics or environmental factors such as population density or community cohesion. In contrast, shoplifting and burglary rates are well below UK averages, reflecting the area’s smaller retail presence or effective local policing strategies. The overall crime rate, while low, remains a reminder that even in areas with historically low crime, specific challenges such as anti-social behaviour require targeted attention.

January 2026 saw a sharp increase in robbery, rising by 100% from zero to one incident. This spike, though small in absolute terms, contrasts with steep declines in other categories: public order offences fell by 92.3% (from 13 to 1), other theft dropped 88.9% (from 9 to 1), and violence and sexual offences decreased by 87.5% (from 56 to 7). These shifts suggest a marked reduction in incidents typically associated with public spaces, such as disturbances or theft, possibly linked to shorter daylight hours and post-holiday seasonal trends. Anti-social behaviour, which made up 45.2% of all crimes, remains significantly above the UK average (18% higher), indicating a persistent local challenge. Meanwhile, property-related crimes such as shoplifting and burglary are consistently below UK rates, with shoplifting at 30% below the national average. This mix of trends underscores the complexity of Bedlington’s crime picture, where certain categories align with national patterns while others reflect unique local dynamics.

In January 2026, Bedlington recorded 42 total crimes, translating to 1 reported crime per day over the month. This daily figure is lower than the previous month’s rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents, which dropped by 71.1% to reach the current rate of 2.4 per 1,000. When scaled to the area’s population of 17,198, this means that over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 409 residents. This monthly exposure highlights a marked reduction in criminal activity compared to the preceding month, which may reflect seasonal patterns such as post-holiday lulls and reduced retail footfall. While daily crime counts offer a snapshot, the monthly aggregate provides a broader context for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of encountering crime remains significantly lower than the UK average. The population-scaled perspective further emphasizes that Bedlington’s crime profile continues to diverge from national trends, with a focus on localized issues such as anti-social behaviour rather than property or violent crime.