Houghton-le-Spring Crime Rate

Houghton-le-Spring currently has an overall crime rate of 116.7 per 1,000 people per year. This is higher than the UK average of 93.1, resulting in a safety score of 75/100, slightly below the national average of 78. The crime trend is currently stable, with a small 3.4% increase year-over-year. While the area experiences more crime than some of its neighbours, the safety score remains respectable. The data below provides a detailed look at crime types and timing to help residents understand their local environment.

Houghton-le-Spring's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences (29.7%), anti-social behaviour (16.2%), and shoplifting (13.0%). For property owners, the statistics are significant; the property crime rate is 46.9 per 1,000 people, which is well above the UK average of 32.9. This includes criminal damage and arson, which account for 11.2% of all crimes, and burglary at 5.9%. Vehicle crime also makes up 4.7% of reports. These figures suggest that while personal safety is the primary concern, opportunistic property crime is a very real issue for local residents and businesses.

The crime trend in Houghton-le-Spring is stable, with a slight 3.4% increase over the last year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate peaked in June 2025 at 10.9 per 1,000, with other highs in May (10.7) and April (10.5). The safest month was December 2024, with a rate of 7.3. While there has been a marginal increase in crime, the overall numbers remain relatively consistent month-to-month, suggesting that the area's safety profile is not undergoing any drastic changes. For residents, this stability provides a predictable environment, though the slight upward trend warrants continued vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Houghton-le-Spring

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Houghton-le-Spring. To stay safe, always be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Stick to well-lit, busy areas and avoid shortcuts through unpopulated paths. Shoplifting is also high here, so if you are a business owner, ensuring your store is well-monitored is essential. For residents, the 11.2% rate of criminal damage suggests that keeping your property's exterior well-lit can act as a strong deterrent. Report any anti-social behaviour to the police, as this helps them identify hotspots and deploy patrols more effectively. Staying connected with your local community through neighbourhood watch schemes can also provide an extra layer of security and awareness.

Crime timing in Houghton-le-Spring shows distinct trends throughout the day. Theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during the morning (29%) and afternoon (31%), likely linked to local commercial activity. As the day turns to evening, 54% of crimes fall into the 'Other' category, which often includes anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. Night-time brings a significant spike in property crime; 32% of vehicle crimes and 28% of burglaries occur between midnight and 6am. Interestingly, the afternoon also sees a high rate of burglary (30%), suggesting that homes are often targeted when they are most likely to be empty during the working day.

In comparison to nearby areas, Houghton-le-Spring (116.7) has a higher crime rate than Hetton-le-Hole (101.9), Fence Houses (74.4), and Shiney Row and Penshaw (69.8). It also reports more crime than East Rainton (71.7). This suggests that Houghton-le-Spring is the most active urban hub in its immediate vicinity. For residents and visitors, this means being slightly more vigilant than in the surrounding smaller settlements.

With a property crime rate of 46.9 per 1,000, Houghton-le-Spring residents face a higher-than-average risk. Traditional CCTV often only records a crime as it happens, which is of little help if your property is already damaged or stolen. scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to detect threats at your property boundary. By watching all your cameras simultaneously, it can identify suspicious behaviour and trigger autonomous responses—like lights and speakers—before a break-in occurs. In an area where criminal damage and burglary are frequent, scOS provides a powerful deterrent that stops criminals before they can act, ensuring your home remains a safe haven.