Widdrington Station Crime Rate

Widdrington Station Crime Overview

Widdrington Station, a key settlement in Northumberland, presents a crime profile that is slightly higher than the national average but remains relatively safe according to regional safety scores. The overall crime rate stands at 100.6 per 1,000 people, which is above the UK average of 91.7. Despite this, the area maintains a robust safety score of 78/100, indicating that many reported incidents are less severe. However, the recent trend is a point of concern, with crime increasing by 57.5% year-over-year. This significant rise suggests a shifting landscape for local residents, moving from a very quiet area to one with more frequent reported activity. Understanding these figures is crucial for residents looking to balance the area's suburban appeal with practical safety considerations.

Crime Breakdown in Widdrington Station

The most prevalent issues in Widdrington Station are anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and criminal damage and arson. Anti-social behaviour accounts for 36.2% of all incidents, with 118 crimes reported. This is followed closely by violence and sexual offences at 32.2%. Criminal damage and arson make up 9.8% of the total, reflecting a significant portion of local disturbances.

Property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime, stands at 19.7 per 1,000 people. While this is notably lower than the UK average of 32.3, it still presents a concern for residents. Burglary specifically occurs at a rate of 3.1 per 1,000, while vehicle crime is slightly lower at 2.5 per 1,000. For homeowners, these figures suggest that while the area is generally safer than many urban centres, proactive measures to secure homes and outbuildings remain essential to deter opportunistic theft and damage.

Crime Trends in Widdrington Station

The most striking aspect of Widdrington Station's crime data is the sharp upward trend. Total crime has increased by 57.5% year-over-year, a significant rise that outpaces many nearby areas. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 highlights this volatility. In December 2024, the rate was 8.0 per 1,000, which dipped to a low of 4.3 in January 2025. However, by mid-2025, the area saw a sustained spike, reaching a peak of 12.4 in July and remaining high through August at 11.7. Although the rate moderated slightly towards the end of the year, finishing at 8.3 in November, the overall trajectory remains higher than in previous periods. This trend indicates that the area is experiencing a period of increased reporting and activity, particularly during the summer months.

How To Keep Safe in Widdrington Station

The highest crime category in Widdrington Station is anti-social behaviour (ASB), which accounts for over 36% of all reported incidents. While often considered a nuisance rather than a direct threat, managing ASB is key to maintaining a peaceful neighbourhood environment.

To stay safe and reduce the impact of ASB, consider these three actionable tips. First, ensure your property's perimeter is well-defined and secure; well-maintained fences and gates can deter individuals from loitering near your home. Second, install motion-activated lighting around the front and rear of your property. ASB often thrives in dark, unobserved corners, and sudden illumination can discourage groups from gathering. Third, actively report persistent issues to the local neighbourhood policing team via the 101 service. Consistent reporting helps authorities identify hotspots and allocate resources more effectively. For immediate concerns regarding property damage, ensure your security cameras are visible, as this acts as a significant psychological deterrent against opportunistic vandalism.

Time Patterns of Crime in Widdrington Station

Crime in Widdrington Station follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning hours (6am - 12pm), theft is the most significant concern, accounting for 33% of incidents. As the day progresses into the afternoon, burglary risks remain steady at 22%. However, it is the evening and night periods where the profile shifts. In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour—surge to 60% of reports. At night (12am - 6am), vehicle crime becomes a major factor, rising to 27% of all recorded incidents. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic theft, the night-time hours present a higher risk to property and vehicles parked on the street or in driveways.

Nearby Areas Comparison

When comparing Widdrington Station to its neighbours, it occupies a middle ground in terms of safety. With a rate of 100.6 crimes per 1,000 people, it is safer than Lynemouth (138.3) and Hadston (168.0), both of which experience significantly higher levels of reported crime. Conversely, Ellington is a quieter alternative with a lower crime rate of 79.0. Woodhorn remains the safest nearby location with a reported crime rate of 0.0, though its smaller population makes it a very different residential prospect. For those moving within this part of Northumberland, Widdrington Station offers a balance between the higher-activity coastal villages and the more secluded rural hamlets.

Proactive Security for Widdrington Station

With a property crime rate of 19.7 per 1,000 people, Widdrington Station residents face a moderate risk of burglary and theft. Traditional security often fails because it is reactive; a standard doorbell camera might capture a thief's face, but it does nothing to stop the crime in progress. In an area where crime is on the rise, shifting to proactive protection is essential.

scOS offers an AI-powered alternative that focuses on prevention rather than just recording. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats before they reach your door. If an unrecognised person lingers, the system can autonomously activate lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Widdrington Station homeowners, this means moving beyond DIY systems that merely notify you of a loss, to a professional-grade system that actively defends your home and vehicles from the types of opportunistic crime currently increasing in the region.