Stockton-on-Tees Crime Rate

Stockton-on-Tees's crime rate of 131.3 per 1,000 residents in February 2026 is 44.3% above the UK average, with Other crime standing out as 96% higher than the national rate. This contrasts sharply with nearby areas like Longnewton, where crime is 293% lower. While property crime remains elevated, the most significant disparity lies in non-property crimes, particularly anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, which exceed UK averages by 68% and 79% respectively.

Stockton-on-Tees is a mixed urban-rural area with a complex economic profile. Its urban core, including Stockton-on-Tees town centre, hosts retail hubs that likely contribute to elevated shoplifting rates (13.5 per 1,000, 79% above UK average). The rural areas, particularly Rural Stockton-on-Tees (264.2 per 1,000), face higher crime due to isolation and limited public services. This duality creates stark contrasts: Thornaby-on-Tees (192.8 per 1,000) struggles with concentrated deprivation, while Longnewton (33.4 per 1,000) benefits from lower population density and fewer retail hotspots. These geographic and economic disparities help explain the area's uneven crime distribution.

The most striking finding is the 96% exceedance in Other crime (3.9 vs 2.0 per 1,000), which may reflect underreported or unclassified incidents in a region with complex policing needs. Shoplifting (13.5 per 1,000) is 79% above UK average, likely driven by the town's retail corridors and transient populations. Anti-social behaviour (24.7 per 1,000, 68% above UK average) is elevated in densely populated areas like Stockton-on-Tees town, where social housing concentrations and youth populations create opportunities for disorder. Vehicle crime (5.2 per 1,000) and burglary (5.0 per 1,000) are both above UK averages despite a 13% and 5% YoY decline respectively, suggesting persistent challenges in securing parked vehicles and homes in areas with high commuter traffic.

Crime in Stockton-on-Tees has risen by 6.6% year-on-year, with robbery surging by 52% (1.7 vs 1.2 per 1,000). The monthly trend shows a distinct seasonal pattern, peaking at 12.1 per 1,000 in January 2026 and troughing at 10.1 per 1,000 in April 2025. This likely reflects increased foot traffic during the Christmas retail season and colder winter months encouraging indoor gatherings. The sharp rise in robbery may be linked to targeted crimes during high-traffic periods, while shoplifting's 27.5% YoY increase could stem from festive season retail theft spikes. However, vehicle crime's 13.4% decline suggests improved parking security measures are taking effect.

Stockton-on-Tees's crime rate (131.3 per 1,000) is 30% higher than Sunderland (100.8 per 1,000), the region's safest area, but 16% lower than County Durham (112.8 per 1,000). This gradient reflects economic disparities: Sunderland's lower rate may benefit from its coastal tourism economy, while County Durham's higher rate could relate to post-industrial challenges. Middlesbrough (184.1 per 1,000), 40% higher than Stockton-on-Tees, faces similar post-industrial struggles but with less effective local governance. Rural Stockton-on-Tees (264.2 per 1,000) stands out as the most problematic sub-area, likely due to sparse policing and economic stagnation.

For households in Stockton-on-Tees, where Other crime (3.9 per 1,000) is 96% above the UK average, scOS's AI perimeter monitoring is critical. Its behavioural analysis distinguishes between benign activity and potential threats, reducing false alarms while increasing deterrence. In areas with high shoplifting rates (13.5 per 1,000), scOS's DVLA vehicle verification can flag stolen or cloned plates near homes, a feature particularly valuable in urban retail zones. The system's autonomous lighting and speaker activation disrupt intruders before they act, a key advantage in areas like Thornaby-on-Tees (192.8 per 1,000) where property crime remains elevated despite declines in vehicle crime.

How To Keep Safe in Stockton-on-Tees

For areas with high shoplifting rates (13.5 per 1,000), avoid leaving valuables in vehicles unattended, especially in urban retail zones. In regions with elevated Other crime (3.9 per 1,000), consider community engagement initiatives to foster local cohesion. For residents in Thornaby-on-Tees (192.8 per 1,000), ensure homes are secured with dual locking mechanisms and motion sensors. Given the 79% exceedance in shoplifting, avoid displaying expensive items in car windows. In rural areas with higher crime rates, participate in local Neighbourhood Watch schemes to share intelligence about suspicious activity.