Shiney Row and Penshaw Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 saw Shiney Row and Penshaw record a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 35.2% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This performance aligns with the area’s generally low crime profile, though specific patterns emerge when examining the breakdown. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.6% of all reported incidents—30% below the UK average for this category. This may partly explain the lower overall rate, as violent crime often correlates with higher rates in urban centres. Property crimes, meanwhile, accounted for 42.1% of total incidents, with burglary and criminal damage representing the most notable subcategories. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings, holiday shopping, and empty homes—likely contributed to fluctuations, though the area’s overall safety remains consistent with its built-up character within Sunderland. The proportion of violent crime appears to be more balanced than the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community policing or socioeconomic conditions may play a role in mitigating severe incidents. This pattern contrasts with the UK-wide trend, where property crime often dominates, indicating a unique dynamic in this part of the North East.

The month-on-month trend reveals a marked shift in crime patterns, with several categories showing dramatic changes. Burglary surged by 160%, rising from 5 to 13 incidents—a stark contrast to the 89.5% drop in shoplifting, which fell from 19 to 2. This divergence may reflect seasonal factors: while holiday shopping could deter retail theft, the absence of residents during the festive period might leave homes vulnerable to burglary. Anti-social behaviour also plummeted by 72.4%, from 29 to 8, linked to reduced public gatherings during colder weather. Public order offences followed a similar trajectory, declining by 57.1%. These decreases suggest that the combination of shorter days and holiday-related activities may have altered local dynamics, though the rise in burglary remains a concern. Violent crime, while still the most common category, remains 30% below the UK average, highlighting a disparity in local safety compared to national trends. The area’s burglary rate—126% above the UK average—presents a notable outlier, influenced by its proximity to Sunderland’s industrial zones or the concentration of older housing stock. Residents should note that while overall crime has decreased, targeted vigilance around property security may still be warranted.

December 2024’s crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 represents a 33.9% decline from November’s 7.0 per 1,000, underscoring a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 3 crimes per day in December—a figure that, while relatively low, translates to one reported crime for every 217 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides context for residents, illustrating that while the area is not immune to crime, its incidence remains significantly below national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective further reinforces this: with 19,120 residents, the 88 total crimes reported represent a manageable proportion of the community’s size. This compares favourably to the UK’s average of 7.1 per 1,000, where the equivalent figure would equate to over 135 crimes in a similar population. The contrast is particularly stark in categories like anti-social behaviour, which saw a 72.4% drop, and shoplifting, which fell by 89.5%, both of which may reflect the seasonal slowdown in public activity. However, the sharp rise in burglary—a 160% increase—remains an exception to this trend, indicating a need for continued attention to property-related vulnerabilities. The area’s ability to maintain such a low crime rate despite its built-up nature within a larger urban area suggests effective local strategies, though the burglary anomaly warrants further scrutiny.