Fence Houses Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Fence Houses

Fence Houses, a Built-Up Area (BUA) with a population of 5,335, boasts a relatively low overall crime rate of 72.2 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly below the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a safer environment compared to the national picture. The property crime rate stands at 24.0 per 1,000 people, also comfortably below the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. With an impressive safety score of 83 out of 100, this area surpasses the UK average safety score of 78, indicating a high level of perceived safety. Furthermore, the area has seen a significant decreasing trend in crime, with a notable year-over-year reduction of 26.5%. This introduction provides a positive outlook on the crime statistics in Fence Houses, setting the context for further detailed analysis.

Crime Type Analysis in Fence Houses

In Fence Houses, Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, with 143 incidents, representing 37.1% of all crimes at a rate of 26.8 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour is the second highest, with 65 crimes making up 16.9% of the total at 12.2 per 1,000. Criminal damage and arson, alongside other theft, both rank third, with 33 occurrences each, comprising 8.6% of crimes at a rate of 6.2 per 1,000.

Property-related crime in Fence Houses, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, registers a rate of 24.0 per 1,000 people. This category specifically includes 23 burglaries (4.3 per 1,000), 31 vehicle crimes (5.8 per 1,000), and 33 other theft offences (6.2 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures, while lower than many other areas, still highlight the importance of securing properties and vehicles. Despite the overall lower crime rate, the presence of property crime underscores the need for vigilance and appropriate security measures to protect personal belongings and premises.

Crime Trends in Fence Houses

Fence Houses has experienced a highly positive shift in its crime statistics, showing a significant decreasing trend with a 26.5% reduction in crime year-over-year. This substantial decrease indicates a notable improvement in the overall safety of the area compared to the previous 12-month period. Reviewing the monthly crime rate per 1,000, there have been fluctuations. The rate was 5.8 in October 2024, rising to 7.9 in November, then dropping to 5.1 in December 2024. After a high of 8.6 in March 2025, rates generally decreased, reaching a low of 3.9 in August 2025, before settling at 5.4 in September 2025. This strong annual decrease suggests that crime prevention strategies are effectively enhancing safety for Fence Houses residents.

Crime Time Patterns in Fence Houses

Crime in Fence Houses displays distinct patterns throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft is particularly prevalent at 41%, with vehicle crime also notable at 20% and burglary at 14%. This often coincides with increased activity as people commute. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft remaining high at 46%, alongside burglary at 24%, suggesting properties may be more vulnerable when unoccupied. As evening progresses (6pm-12am), miscellaneous crime becomes dominant at 40%, with vehicle crime and burglary also prominent. Overnight (12am-6am), vehicle crime accounts for a significant 45% of offences, alongside miscellaneous crime at 24% and burglary at 23%, indicating heightened risk for parked vehicles and properties during these quieter hours. Understanding these rhythms can help residents enhance their security measures.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To understand the local safety context, Fence Houses' crime statistics can be compared with neighbouring areas such as Bournmoor, Houghton-le-Spring, Shiney Row and Penshaw, and East Rainton. These settlements, while geographically close, each possess unique characteristics that can influence their crime profiles. By examining Fence Houses' data alongside these neighbours, residents can gain valuable regional context. This helps to illustrate how safety levels can differ even within a relatively small geographical radius, aiding in a more informed perspective on local crime rates and overall community safety.

Protecting Your Home in Fence Houses

Even in areas with lower crime rates like Fence Houses, where the property crime rate is 24.0 per 1,000 people, proactive home security remains a wise investment. While traditional security measures might offer a basic level of protection, they often only record incidents after they've occurred. For true peace of mind and effective crime prevention, a more advanced approach is beneficial.

Consider AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS, which are designed to prevent crime at your property's boundary. Unlike systems that merely notify you after a break-in, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect threats in real-time, learning your routines and distinguishing between genuine threats and everyday activity. This proactive capability allows for immediate, autonomous responses, such as activating lights or engaging speakers, which can deter potential intruders before they gain entry. This element of surprise is crucial, as most burglars make their decision within 60 seconds. Investing in professional-grade security that actively intervenes can significantly enhance your property's defence, moving beyond reactive recording to genuine crime prevention.