Fence Houses Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 marked a notable spike in crime within Fence Houses, a built-up area of Sunderland, with an overall crime rate of 10.1 per 1,000 residents—44.3% above the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 55.6% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.1% and burglary at 9.3%. This stark increase in violent crime aligns with the seasonal context of December, a period characterised by the Christmas shopping peak, extended darkness, and the movement of residents and visitors. The surge in violent offences may be consistent with the area's character as a densely populated built-up zone, where interactions in public spaces increase during the festive season. Meanwhile, shoplifting saw a 100% increase, though it remains at a low level compared to the UK average. The data suggests that the combination of seasonal factors and the local environment likely contributes to the elevated crime rates observed this month. While the overall rate is significantly higher than the UK average, the breakdown of crime types reveals a mix of challenges, with some categories like other theft showing unexpected declines. These patterns highlight the need for targeted responses that address both the immediate spikes in violent crime and the underlying factors that may perpetuate these trends.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in violence and sexual offences, which jumped by 87.5% from 16 to 30 incidents. This surge, occurring amid the Christmas shopping peak and dark winter evenings, may partly explain the sharp rise in violent crime. Shoplifting also saw a 100% increase, rising from zero to three incidents, a shift that contrasts with the UK average where shoplifting rates remained stable. Conversely, other theft fell by 66.7%, dropping from three to one incident—a decline that may reflect seasonal changes in retail activity or increased policing efforts. Violent crimes in Fence Houses are 118% above the UK average, with a rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents, a figure that significantly outpaces the national benchmark. These patterns suggest a combination of local factors and broader seasonal trends.

Fence Houses' crime rate in December 2025 rose to 10.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 42.1% increase from the previous month's 7.1 per 1,000. This shift raises the local monthly exposure to crime to one reported incident for every 99 residents, a figure that underscores the heightened activity over the holiday period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two crimes per day in December, a statistic that aligns with the seasonal context of the month. When viewed against the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, Fence Houses' rate remains significantly elevated, though the comparison highlights the localised nature of the surge rather than a national trend. The population of 5,335 residents means that each resident faces a higher likelihood of encountering crime compared to the national average, a disparity that may be influenced by the area's specific dynamics during the festive season.