Washington Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 marked a slight decline in Washington's overall crime rate, which stood at 8.4 per 1,000 residents — 10.5% above the UK average of 7.6. This built-up area within Sunderland continues to show patterns consistent with other urban centres, where property crimes and violent offences dominate the crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.3% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.6%) and shoplifting (12.4%). The seasonal context of November — with its dark evenings, Bonfire Night, and Black Friday shopping — likely contributed to fluctuations in crime types. While violent crime saw a marginal 6.1% decrease from October, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour remained high compared to the UK average. The area's proximity to Sunderland's retail corridors may explain elevated shoplifting rates, while the clustering of anti-social behaviour in residential zones suggests ongoing challenges with community cohesion. Despite the overall rate being above the UK average, the month-on-month decline indicates some progress in managing crime, though persistent issues in specific categories require continued attention.

November saw a notable 6.1% decrease in violence and sexual offences, with reported cases falling from 148 to 139. This decline aligns with the typical reduction in violent crime during colder months, though the rate remains 1% above the UK average. Conversely, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour continued to outpace national trends, with shoplifting rates 45% higher than the UK average and anti-social behaviour 8% above. A concerning rise in theft from the person — doubling from zero to one incident — highlights vulnerabilities during late-night retail periods, particularly around Black Friday. Vehicle crime plummeted by 69.8%, likely due to reduced car usage during the holiday season and increased police patrols in key areas. Meanwhile, burglary decreased by 20%, possibly reflecting improved security measures in residential properties. The sharp 100% increases in bicycle theft, possession of weapons, and theft from the person, though small in absolute terms, underscore the need for targeted interventions in high-risk zones.

Washington's crime rate in November 2024 (8.4 per 1,000) represented a 3.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.6, suggesting a modest improvement in overall safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 15 crimes per day — a figure that, while not extreme, underscores the need for consistent community engagement. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 120 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the area in the upper third of UK built-up areas. When compared to the UK average, Washington's crime profile reveals significant disparities: violent crime and anti-social behaviour are both above national rates, while vehicle crime and other thefts are lower. This contrast may reflect the area's unique demographic mix — a commuter hub with a mix of older residential estates and newer developments — where property-focused crimes are more common than drug-related offences. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate is above the UK average, the absolute number of crimes remains manageable, with targeted policing in high-risk areas likely contributing to the month-on-month decline.