Houghton-le-Spring Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 11,399 residents, 139 crimes reported in May 2023 equate to 12.2 crimes per 1,000 people — 52.5% above the UK average of 8.0. This rate places Houghton-le-Spring in a higher bracket compared to national benchmarks, though the area’s crime profile reflects local dynamics. Anti-social behaviour accounted for 36.7% of all crimes (51 incidents), followed by violence and sexual offences (37, 26.6%) and public order offences (15, 10.8%). These patterns align with the area’s character as a built-up district within a larger urban conurbation, where high-density living and social interactions may contribute to persistent anti-social activity. Seasonal factors in May — longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising — likely amplify public order incidents, as seen in the 10.8% rise in public order crimes compared to the UK average. While violent crime remains a concern, the data suggests a more combination of localised pressures rather than a single overarching cause. The relatively low rates of burglary (2.2% of total crimes) and other theft (2.9%) indicate that property crime is not the dominant concern here, which may reflect stronger community cohesion or more effective local policing in residential areas. This month’s figures highlight the need for targeted interventions in anti-social behaviour and public order management, particularly as seasonal trends persist into the summer months.

May 2023 saw a 59.4% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 32 to 51 incidents — the largest single category jump. Public order offences surged by 200%, with the count rising from 5 to 15, likely tied to extended evenings and social events. Bicycle theft also doubled, from 0 to 1. Conversely, drugs-related crimes fell by 75% (from 4 to 1), and burglary dropped by 57.1% (from 7 to 3), suggesting some success in addressing specific issues. Anti-social behaviour in Houghton-le-Spring is 238% above the UK average (4.5 vs 1.3 per 1,000), a stark contrast to burglary, which is only 3% below the UK rate (0.3 vs 0.3 per 1,000). The violence and sexual offences category (3.3 per 1,000) is 19% above the UK average, indicating a persistent challenge in this area. These shifts highlight the need for focused efforts on anti-social behaviour and public order, particularly as the summer months bring further social activity. A resident would find the 52.5% overall rate increase compared to the UK average a useful context for understanding local crime trends relative to national standards.

The crime rate in May 2023 (12.2 per 1,000) was 12.0% lower than the previous month’s rate of 13.9, reflecting a small but notable decline. However, this remains significantly higher than the UK average, with 12.2 per 1,000 compared to 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, Houghton-le-Spring experienced roughly 4 crimes per day in May, a figure that underscores the ongoing presence of crime in a relatively small population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 82 residents — a monthly aggregate that provides context for residents on the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives. When scaled to the area’s population of 11,399, this rate highlights the disproportionate impact of crime compared to the UK average. The previous month’s rate was 13.9 per 1,000, but the decline in May does not fully offset the area’s consistently elevated rates. This comparison to the UK average and the population-scaled perspective offer residents a clearer understanding of how Houghton-le-Spring’s crime trends align with broader national patterns, even as local factors continue to shape the specific types of crime experienced.