Billingham Crime Rate

Billingham is a town with an overall crime rate of 109.6 per 1,000 residents. While this is higher than the UK average of 91.6, the town maintains a safety score of 75/100, which is close to the national average of 79. This suggests that despite a higher frequency of reported incidents, Billingham remains a relatively safe residential environment. Most encouragingly, the crime trend is decreasing, with a 5.9% reduction in total offences year-over-year. This positive trajectory makes Billingham an increasingly attractive option for those looking to live in the Teesside area. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types and time patterns to help residents better understand their local environment.

Crime Breakdown in Billingham

In Billingham, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, making up 34.4% of total reports with 1,283 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 18.0%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 11.0%. These three categories represent the majority of police activity within the town.

Property-related crime is a significant factor for Billingham residents, with a combined property crime rate of 38.3 per 1,000 people. This includes 232 burglaries and 151 vehicle crimes. Interestingly, burglary and "other theft" occur at identical rates (6.8 per 1,000), suggesting that both residential security and the protection of personal belongings in public spaces are equally important. For homeowners, the data shows that while Billingham is safer than some neighbouring urban areas, property crime remains higher than the UK average, necessitating consistent security practices.

Crime Trends in Billingham

Billingham is currently experiencing a positive downward trend in crime, with a year-over-year decrease of 5.9%. This reduction is a significant indicator of improving safety within the town and contrasts with the stable or increasing trends seen in some other parts of the Stockton-on-Tees borough.

The monthly data for 2025 highlights some seasonal fluctuations. The year began with a low rate of 6.7 in February, followed by a steady climb through the spring. Crime reached its peak during the summer months, specifically in July (11.3) and August (12.0). This summer spike is typical for residential towns, often associated with school holidays and increased outdoor activity. However, the year ended with a sharp decline, dropping back to 7.3 in December. This overall downward trajectory suggests that despite the summer peaks, Billingham is becoming a safer environment for its residents. For those living in the area, the data highlights the importance of maintaining extra vigilance during the July-August period.

How To Keep Safe in Billingham

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Billingham, often linked to the town centre and evening economy. To stay safe, residents should practice good situational awareness when out after dark. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid using isolated footpaths or shortcuts through parks.

Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent issue. To mitigate its impact on your neighbourhood, consider joining or starting a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Visible community engagement is a strong deterrent to low-level crime. Ensure your home's exterior is well-maintained and that motion-sensor lighting is installed to eliminate dark spots where people might loiter.

Given that burglary is also a significant concern, always ensure that windows and doors are locked, even when you are at home. During the afternoon—a peak time for local burglary—ensure that any high-value items are not visible from the street. If you have a garage, use it for your vehicle, as vehicle crime accounts for 4% of local reports and typically peaks during the night.

Billingham's crime data shows clear temporal trends throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 36% and 37% of crimes respectively. This suggests that the majority of opportunistic thefts occur during standard business and shopping hours. As the day progresses into the evening, anti-social behaviour and public order offences become more prominent, making up 54% of incidents between 6pm and midnight. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a major shift toward property crime; burglary accounts for 28% of night-time reports, while vehicle crime rises to 26%. This data indicates that while personal safety is a daytime and evening priority, property and vehicle security are most critical during the overnight hours when residential streets are at their quietest.

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Billingham offers a more secure environment than the larger urban centres. Its crime rate of 109.6 is substantially lower than Stockton-on-Tees (160.1) and Thornaby-on-Tees (185.0). However, it remains busier than the very quiet surrounding villages; both Wolviston and Greatham recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000 in this dataset. For residents and commuters, Billingham represents a middle ground in the region—providing more amenities than the rural villages while maintaining a significantly lower crime rate than the primary urban hubs of the local authority.

Home Security and Protection in Billingham

With a property crime rate of 38.3 per 1,000 residents, Billingham sits above the UK average for burglary and theft. In a town where 232 burglaries were recorded in a single year, the limitations of traditional security are clear. Standard CCTV cameras and DIY doorbells are reactive; they provide evidence after your home has been compromised. In Billingham, where burglaries occur both during the day and at night, waiting for an alert after a break-in is often too late.

The most effective way to protect a home in Billingham is through proactive AI detection. scOS is an intelligent operating system that monitors your property boundaries 24/7. Using multi-camera intelligence, it identifies suspicious patterns and vehicle plates before a crime is committed. By activating autonomous responses like lighting and audio warnings, scOS deters intruders at the perimeter. This shift from recording a crime to preventing it is crucial in an area where property crime is a persistent factor. Investing in proactive protection ensures your home is the one burglars choose to bypass.