South Shields Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in South Shields

South Shields, a built-up area within South Tyneside, records an overall crime rate of 144.4 per 1,000 residents annually, with a safety score of 68 out of 100. This places its crime rate higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, and its safety score slightly below the national average of 78. Despite these figures, the area has experienced a positive trend, with a 5.2% decrease in crime year-over-year. This indicates an improving safety landscape, which will be further explored in the detailed analysis that follows.

Crime Type Analysis in South Shields

In South Shields, 'Violence and sexual offences' constitutes the largest proportion of crime, with 3,518 incidents representing 33.1% of all crimes, at a rate of 47.8 per 1,000 residents. Following this are 'Anti-social behaviour' with 1,990 crimes (18.7%) and 'Shoplifting' with 1,316 crimes (12.4%). These three categories are the most significant contributors to the area's overall crime figures.

The property-related crime rate in South Shields is 49.6 per 1,000 residents, which is considerably higher than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes 379 burglaries (5.1 per 1,000), 275 vehicle crimes (3.7 per 1,000), and 502 'other theft' incidents (6.8 per 1,000). For those living and owning property in South Shields, these statistics highlight the importance of robust security measures to protect against various forms of property crime.

Crime Trends in South Shields

South Shields has demonstrated a favourable trend in crime reduction, with a year-over-year decrease of 5.2%. Analysing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents reveals specific patterns over the past year. October 2024 saw a rate of 12.1, which slightly decreased to 11.4 in November and 10.1 in December. The start of 2025 brought some fluctuations, with rates of 11.3 in January, 10.8 in February, and a notable rise to 13.1 in March.

Rates remained around 12.1-13.0 through April, May, June, and July, peaking at 14.4 in August, before falling to 11.3 in September. Despite some monthly volatility, the overall trend points towards a reduction in criminal activity. This decreasing pattern is a positive indicator for the community, suggesting efforts to improve safety are having an impact.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in South Shields

Crime in South Shields exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day, influenced by various activities and opportunities. The morning hours (6am-12pm) often see a rise in theft-related offences and 'other' crimes, likely correlating with increased footfall as people commute and businesses open. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft continues to be a significant concern, often linked to peak shopping hours and commercial activity.

During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crime types become more prominent, suggesting a broader range of incidents as social activities increase. The night hours (12am-6am) are typically associated with higher rates of 'other' crimes, alongside notable vehicle crime and burglary. This period often presents greater opportunities for such offences due to reduced surveillance and unattended properties, underscoring the need for enhanced security during these times.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To contextualise crime in South Shields, it's useful to compare its statistics with neighbouring areas. Cleadon, Jarrow, East Boldon and West Boldon, and Boldon Colliery are all within proximity. South Shields' overall crime rate of 144.4 per 1,000 is higher than some of these more residential or smaller built-up areas.

For example, Cleadon generally experiences lower crime rates, reflecting its more suburban character. Jarrow and Boldon Colliery, while also urban, may present different crime type distributions influenced by their specific commercial or industrial layouts. Understanding these comparisons helps residents assess the relative safety of their immediate surroundings within the broader South Tyneside region.

Protecting Your Property in South Shields

With a property crime rate of 49.6 per 1,000 residents in South Shields, which exceeds the UK average, prioritising robust home security is essential. Relying solely on reactive measures, such as recording a burglary with traditional cameras, often only provides evidence after the event. A more effective strategy involves proactive crime prevention.

Advanced AI-powered security systems like scOS are designed to prevent crime before it happens. By detecting threats at your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence and learning your routines, scOS can differentiate between expected activity and genuine intruders. This allows for an autonomous response, employing lights and speakers to deter potential offenders, effectively destroying the element of surprise. Opting for professional-grade security like scOS can make a significant difference, signalling to opportunistic burglars within that critical 60-second decision window that your property is not an easy target, unlike those protected by basic DIY systems.