Found in the North East, Newcastle is a historic city, now known for its bustling nightlife and variety of eateries. However, behind all that, just like any other city, the heart of Tyneside fights against its own criminal activities. Join us to discover if the Newcastle crime rate is truly as severe as reports claim.
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Newcastle Crime Statistics
Crime statistics help to get a better understanding of what our communities are really like. Below, you’ll find all the key pieces of data you’ll need to understand what types of crime plague Newcastle, and which areas they affect the most. Stand by as we uncover the reality behind the Newcastle crime rate.
Trends in the Newcastle Crime Rate
Taking a look back at past crime trends for Newcastle since 2021, an unfortunate tale begins to unfold.
- According to the Northumbria Police website, from April 2021 to Feb 2024, there were a reported number of 36,138 crimes in Newcastle Central alone.
- Just over a third (12,652) of those crimes took place from March 2023 to Feb 2024.
- Unfortunately, looking at the crime per quarter, we can see there has been a steady increase in crime since early 2023.
- The current quarterly crime rate from Oct-Dec 2023 (3368) nearly beats the peak quarterly crime rate in the past 3 years, Oct-Dec 2021 (3459).
What Crime Rates Are Changing in Newcastle?
In this section, we aim to provide statistical insight into Newcastle upon Tyne’s crime trends over the past 12 months. We look to bring to light what crimes are posing larger threats, and which ones are improving for the city.
What Crimes Are Increasing?
- Violence and sexual offences have remained the most committed crime in Newcastle Central over the past 12-month period. There are unfortunately little to no signs of that changing, despite dips here and there.
- Since February 2023, anti-social behaviour has seen a slow and steady increase. As statistics currently stand, it is the second most reported crime in Newcastle Central.
- Shoplifting has also slowly been making its climb over the past year, with 1,340 incidents committed, nearly half of the number of incidents reported since 2021 (3058).
What Crimes Are Decreasing?
Fortunately, not every Newcastle crime rate is seeing an increase.
- Bike theft has been slowly but surely decreasing since February 2023, beginning with 24 reported crimes and ending with 16.
- Criminal damage and arson has seen a gradual decrease as well, going from a height of 55 cases to as low as 38 cases over the past year.
- Public order cases have also been steadily decreasing in this same period.
Northumbria Police
Here, we are delving into the current state of the police that protect Newcastle from crime. With these statistics, we aim to shed light on the current state of the resources that are being dedicated to Newcastle’s security.
Is Newcastle a Safe City to Live in?
In 2023, the Newcastle crime rate was found to be 118 per 1,000 people. This crime rate placed the city 7% higher than Tyne & Wear, making it the most dangerous major city in the region. Our of the 28 towns, villages, and cities in the region, it is one of the top 10 most dangerous.
Regarding crimes in Newcastle, January 2024 was a poor month in terms of bicycle theft. There were 43 recorded crimes, which made it the worst area in Tyne & Wear for that crime that month. It also happened to be an awful month for residents and tourists of Newcastle upon Tyne alike, with 77 reported incidents of theft from the person.
However, don’t let this dissuade you from moving to Newcastle. Newcastle upon Tyne is a large area, and the crime spread is not even. Some areas suffer from less crime than others do. Just take care when travelling, and be prepared for possible risks, but the same goes for any city.
Is it Safe to Walk in Newcastle at Night?
Whilst the Newcastle crime rate is relatively high, Newcastle was ranked as the 13th safest city for a night out in the UK. In a series of surveys conducted by Get Licensed, it was revealed that Newcastle upon Tyne earned a safety score of 6.94. This placed it at spot number 13 of 49 other cities and towns in the UK.
Is Newcastle Safe for Students?
Newcastle City Council itself states that the city is renowned for being safe and friendly. Home to two large universities with successful reputations, tens of thousands of students are drawn to the city of Newcastle.
It offers a thriving nightlife and some of the best food variety in the UK. Combined with the lively atmosphere, Newcastle is one of the ideal cities for university students to move to.
The official Newcastle City Council website also provides further information about the city and its services, ensuring you’re fully informed about your big decision.
Newcastle Crime Rate
To understand the landscape of crime in Newcastle, it’s important to take a closer look at the different types of crimes that have happened over the past calendar year. This helps to provide insight into crime trends and the types of crime that have been causing trouble for the city.
Of the crimes in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2023, there were 50,134 incidents reported. These crimes can be broken down into the following categories:
| Crime | Crime Count | Percentage of Total Crimes |
|---|---|---|
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 15,084 | 30.1 |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 11,432 | 22.8 |
| Criminal Damage & Arson | 3,978 | 7.9 |
| Public Order | 3,783 | 7.5 |
| Other Theft | 3,656 | 7.3 |
| Shoplifting | 3,647 | 7.3 |
| Vehicle Crime | 2,845 | 5.7 |
| Burglary | 1,478 | 2.9 |
| Drugs | 1,210 | 2.4 |
| Theft From the Person | 741 | 1.5 |
| Other Crime | 722 | 1.4 |
| Bicycle Theft | 639 | 1.3 |
| Robbery | 508 | 1.0 |
| Possession of Weapons | 411 | 0.8 |
So, is Newcastle Upon Tyne a Safe Place to Live?
Every city will always have its own risks, which is unfortunately inevitable. However, the Newcastle crime rate has regrettably risen over the past 12 months. Reported incidents have risen from 2,942 during Jan-Mar 2023 to 3,368 during Oct-Dec 2023. Unfortunately, almost half of those cases have resulted in no suspect being identified, according to Northumbria Police.
During this period, violence and sexual offences remained in the top spot, alongside cases of anti-social behaviour.
However, even with these dominating crimes, Newcastle faces decreases in the crime count for criminal damage and arson. Incidents of this crime had reduced from 751 to 570. Violence and sexual offences had also seen a significant fall, despite still being the most committed crime in Newcastle, dropping from 3,936 to 3,772 reported incidents.
Whilst crime rate is an important factor to consider before travelling somewhere, do not let it be the sole one. Many methods can help you reduce the risk of facing criminal threats while travelling, so don’t let the crime rate hold too heavy of a bearing when you’re considering experiencing a location’s charm and rich nightlife. All locations will come with their fair share of caution, but that shouldn’t overshadow the good that it has to offer.
Newcastle Security
At the end of the day, when it comes down to safeguarding businesses against crime in Newcastle, security guards are increasingly becoming one of the go-to choices. Having security personnel on the premises can protect employees, equipment, and assets, as well as any customers on-site. Security measures such as this can help to reduce losses from criminal damage and other law-breaking activity.
With security companies, like Region Security Guarding and others, your company gains a crucial defence against security threats. Having a visual security presence alone can help to scare off flighty criminals who were considering targeting your business.
Hiring a security company can drastically help strengthen your defences against the Newcastle crime rate, creating a safer landscape for businesses to thrive in.
Want to learn more about Newcastle? Check out our news and insights page to read about the Top 10 Most Dangerous Areas in Newcastle or the Worst Places to Live in the North East of England.
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