Bellingham Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Bellingham, Northumberland, indicate an annual crime rate of 37.9 per 1,000 residents as of December 2025. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, highlighting a potential safety concern for residents. While the safety score stands at a relatively respectable 92 out of 100, the nature of the crimes reported warrants attention. Over the period from January to December 2025, the area has experienced a notable decrease in crime, dropping by 22.2% year-on-year, which is a positive trend. Understanding the specifics of these crimes is crucial for assessing the overall safety of the area and implementing effective preventative measures.

The crime landscape in Bellingham reveals a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.1% of reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour represents another significant portion of crime, at 21.4%. Further contributing to the overall statistics are incidents of public order offences, other theft, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, burglary, and drug-related crimes. While property crime, specifically burglary, is relatively low at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, the higher rates of violent offences and anti-social behaviour are noteworthy. A deeper understanding of Bellingham’s demographics and local activities would be necessary to fully explain these patterns, however, the rural nature of the area and relatively small population size may contribute to fluctuations in crime statistics.

Crime in Bellingham has demonstrated a positive trend, decreasing by 22.2% year-on-year. Monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reflects this decline. While January saw a relatively low rate of 1.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, a spike occurred in June with 5.9 crimes per 1,000. However, the rate steadily decreased throughout the latter half of the year, culminating in a significantly low 0.5 per 1,000 in December 2025. This downward trend suggests improved safety measures and community vigilance, but continued monitoring is essential to sustain this progress.

How To Keep Safe in Bellingham

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s vital to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when out alone. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas, especially during the evening. With anti-social behaviour also a significant concern, report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly. Secure your vehicles properly to prevent theft or damage, parking in well-lit areas where possible. Finally, consider joining a neighbourhood watch scheme to foster a sense of community and collective vigilance.

Crime in Bellingham exhibits a varied pattern throughout the day. Burglaries are most likely to occur in the morning (7%) and afternoon (12%), with a slight uptick in the evening (12%). Vehicle crime is most prevalent during the night (44%), suggesting a vulnerability during those hours. Theft tends to peak in the afternoon (60%), coinciding with commercial activity. Violence and sexual offences are not significantly linked to any particular time period, however, it is important to remain vigilant regardless of the time of day.

Comparing Bellingham to its neighbours, Otterburn boasts a significantly lower crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 residents, suggesting a safer environment. Humshaugh presents a slightly higher rate at 25.2 per 1,000, while Haydon Bridge has a concerning rate of 42.6 per 1,000. Acomb, however, exhibits a substantially elevated crime rate of 151.4 per 1,000, demonstrating a significant disparity in safety levels across the region. These comparisons highlight Bellingham’s relative position within the Northumberland landscape.

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