Sunderland Crime Rate February 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Sunderland, the crime rate of 10.3 per 1,000 in February 2023 translates to a tangible daily risk: over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 97 residents. This figure, while not uncommon for a major urban centre with a population of 288,606, places the area significantly above the UK average of 6.9 per 1,000 (49.3% higher). The per-capita perspective reveals a landscape where everyday life intersects with crime in measurable ways. Violence and sexual offences, at 3.3 per 1,000 (32% of all crimes), remain the most pressing concern, followed by anti-social behaviour (2.0 per 1,000) and criminal damage (1.2 per 1,000). These rates are consistent with Sunderland’s character as a post-industrial town with a mix of urban and semi-rural areas, where high-density housing and historical economic challenges may contribute to persistent social issues. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity—suggests that some crimes, like shoplifting, may be influenced by pre-spring retail patterns or the limited mobility of certain populations. However, the dominance of violent crime and anti-social behaviour indicates that local factors, such as community cohesion and policing strategies, play a significant role in shaping this monthly picture.

February 2023 saw anti-social behaviour remain a persistent concern, contributing 19% of all crimes and 106% above the UK average. This category’s dominance highlights the ongoing challenge of managing community tensions in densely populated areas. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell 11% below the UK average, a trend consistent with lower outdoor activity during winter months. The breakdown also reveals a sharp contrast in crime severity: while shoplifting and public order offences (both 105% and 58% above UK averages, respectively) dominate in volume, violent crimes accounted for 32% of the total, reflecting the dual nature of Sunderland’s crime profile. A resident would find the 1-in-97 monthly exposure rate particularly striking, as it underscores the need for vigilance in everyday interactions. The data also shows that drug-related crimes were 44% below the UK average, suggesting potential success in local narcotics control efforts.

In February 2023, Sunderland recorded 2984 crimes over 28 days, translating to an average of 107 crimes per day. This daily rate means residents faced a 1-in-97 chance of experiencing a reported crime during the month. With a population of 288,606, the local context reveals a stark contrast to the UK average: Sunderland’s overall crime rate of 10.3 per 1,000 residents is 49.3% higher than the national figure. When scaled to individual risk, this means every resident is statistically more likely to encounter crime than the average UK citizen. The monthly exposure figure of 1-in-97 residents is particularly significant for local planning, as it highlights the need for targeted community engagement and resource allocation. While some categories like vehicle crime fall below the UK average (11% lower), others such as anti-social behaviour (106% above UK) and violence (34% above) demand focused interventions. The interplay between high-frequency, low-severity crimes and more serious offences creates a complex picture for local authorities to address.