Seahouses and North Sunderland Crime Rate

Seahouses and North Sunderland presents as an exceptionally secure coastal community, boasting a safety score of 90/100. The overall crime rate stands at 45.7 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. This indicates that the area is roughly twice as safe as the national benchmark. Recent data shows a stable trend with a minor 1.9% change year-over-year, suggesting that the local environment remains consistently peaceful. While the figures are low, the statistics are primarily driven by violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour, which are common in areas with high seasonal tourism. This detailed analysis provides a comprehensive look at the safety landscape for residents and visitors alike.

Crime Breakdown in Seahouses and North Sunderland

Crime statistics for Seahouses and North Sunderland reveal a community with significantly lower activity than the national average. The most frequent reports involve violence and sexual offences, which account for 39.6% of all recorded incidents (18.1 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.0% and public order offences at 11.3%. While these figures represent the primary concerns, the absolute numbers remain very low, reflecting the area's rural and coastal nature.

Property-related crime—which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—is notably infrequent here. The combined property crime rate stands at just 11.2 per 1,000 people, which is approximately one-third of the UK average of 32.3. Specifically, shoplifting and 'other theft' each contribute 7.5% to the total, while vehicle crime is minimal at 3.8%. Burglary rates are so low they do not feature in the top categories, suggesting a very low risk for homeowners.

For residents and property owners, these statistics are highly encouraging. The low density of property crime indicates that traditional security concerns are less pressing than in urban centres. However, the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, often associated with the local hospitality and tourism sectors, suggests that personal safety awareness remains important, particularly during peak visitor seasons. Overall, the data supports the area's reputation as a secure and peaceful place to live.

Crime Trends in Seahouses and North Sunderland

The crime trend in Seahouses and North Sunderland is currently classified as stable, showing a minor year-over-year increase of 1.9%. This indicates that despite the usual seasonal fluctuations, the overall volume of crime has remained remarkably consistent. Monthly data shows that for much of the year, the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between 0.9 and 4.3, representing very low absolute numbers.

A notable peak occurred in August 2025, where the rate rose to 8.6 per 1,000. This spike is highly characteristic of coastal resort towns, correlating with the height of the summer holiday season and the resulting increase in transient population. Following this peak, the rate gradually subsided through September (5.2) and October (6.0), returning to a more baseline level of 3.5 by November. For residents, this suggests that while the area is generally very quiet, there is a predictable seasonal increase in activity during the summer months that usually resolves as the tourist season ends.

How To Keep Safe in Seahouses and North Sunderland

The most prevalent crime type in Seahouses and North Sunderland is violence and sexual offences, often linked to the area's thriving evening economy and seasonal tourism. While the overall risk remains low, staying aware of your surroundings is key.

When enjoying the local nightlife, stay with your group and plan your journey home in advance. Ensure you use licensed transport or stick to well-lit walking routes. Avoid poorly lit coastal paths or harbour areas late at night.

If you are a business owner or holiday let manager, ensure your premises are well-lit and that staff are trained in conflict de-escalation. Given the seasonal influx of visitors, maintaining a visible but friendly security presence can prevent anti-social behaviour from escalating.

Report any suspicious behaviour to the local authorities immediately. In a small community, early intervention is often the most effective way to prevent minor public order issues from becoming more serious incidents. Always keep your mobile phone charged and let someone know your expected return time if walking alone.

Crime Timing in Seahouses and North Sunderland

Analysis of crime timing in Seahouses and North Sunderland reveals distinct patterns aligned with the area's lifestyle. The morning hours (6am - 12pm) are dominated by theft, accounting for 60% of incidents, likely related to retail activity as shops open. This trend intensifies in the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), where theft-related offences rise to 71%, coinciding with peak shopping and tourist footfall.

As evening approaches (6pm - 12am), the profile shifts significantly. While theft drops to 31%, 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order—rise to 48%. The most dramatic change occurs during the night (12am - 6am). During these early hours, vehicle crime becomes the primary concern, representing 51% of all recorded activity. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic and retail-focused, night-time risks are centred on unattended property and vehicles. Understanding these windows allows residents to take targeted precautions, such as ensuring vehicles are securely garaged or parked in well-lit areas overnight.

When examining the local region, Seahouses and North Sunderland (45.7 per 1,000) appears more active than its immediate neighbours. Beadnell, Bamburgh, Brunton, and Embleton all recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents during this period. This disparity is primarily due to Seahouses serving as the main service and tourism hub for the North Northumberland coast. While the surrounding hamlets are almost entirely residential or holiday-let focused with minimal commercial activity, Seahouses hosts the majority of the region's shops, pubs, and harbour traffic, which naturally centralises reported incidents. Despite being the regional "hotspot," Seahouses remains significantly safer than the UK average.

Despite the low property crime rate of 11.2 per 1,000 in Seahouses and North Sunderland, the psychological impact of any intrusion remains high. Traditional security measures in the area often rely on reactive CCTV, which simply provides a recording of an event after it has occurred. For homeowners in this coastal community, proactive protection offers a more robust alternative.

The scOS operating system transforms standard security into an intelligent, preventative shield. By utilizing AI to monitor all cameras simultaneously, it identifies potential threats at the property boundary. In an area where vehicle crime accounts for 51% of night-time incidents, features like DVLA vehicle verification are invaluable, instantly spotting unauthorised or suspicious plates. Rather than just alerting you to a crime in progress, scOS can autonomously trigger lights and speakers to deter intruders before they gain access. This shift from recording a burglary to preventing one is essential for those who value true security over simple evidence collection.