Quick Facts:

• Durham’s Crime Rate: 104 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Dangerous Areas:
  • Elvet and Gilesgate: 121 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Belmont: 112 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Brandon: 81 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Safest Areas:
  • Durham South: 21 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Neville’s Cross: 33 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Framwellgate and Newton Hall: 57 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour.

Source: CrimeRate

Is Durham Safe?

In 2024 Durham‘s overall crime rate was 104 crimes per 1,000 people, lower than the town’s overall crime rate of 112 crimes per 1,000 people in 2023. Another positive note, according to CrimeRate data, Durham is the the second safest medium-sized town in County Durham. This shows that Durham town has become safer over the last couple of years, however, caution should still be taken as certain areas have more crime than others.

In today’s article, we’ll be taking a closer look at Durham’s crime statistics, including the safest and most dangerous areas so residents and entrepreneurs can decide which areas are the best choice to live and run a business.

Is Durham A Safe Place to Live?

Compared to the UK’s major cities, Durham is more dangerous than Sheffield. Data also shows that over the past five years, the town’s crime rate had increased from 82 to 112 crimes per 1,000 people.

However, in 2024 there was a noticeable decline in the rate of crime, which dropped from 112 crimes to 104 crimes per 1,000 people. This could indicate that initiatives to tackle crime in Durham are having a positive effect, making it a safer town to live and run a business now compared to five years ago.

What Are the Safest Areas in Durham?

In 2024 the safest areas in Durham were:

• Durham South: 21 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Neville’s Cross: 33 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Framwellgate and Newton Hall: 57 crimes per 1,000 people.

These areas are the most desirable in Durham, offering a strong sense of local community, well-maintained public spaces, access to good schools, transport links, and of course low crime rates. Families, professionals, and entrepreneurs can expect a safe and peaceful environment to live and work in.

What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Durham?

In 2024 Durham’s most dangerous areas were:

• Elvet and Gilesgate: 121 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Belmont: 112 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Brandon: 81 crimes per 1,000 people.

The most common crimes in these areas are violence, sexual offences, and shoplifting, impacting on residents’ sense of safety. Higher population, nightlife, and social deprivation contribute to making these areas less desirable for residents and business owners who are seeking safer areas to live and run a business in.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Durham?

According to CrimeRate, the top 5 most common crimes in Durham in 2024 were:

• Violence and sexual offences: 1,928 incidents (37 crimes 1,000 people)
• Shoplifting: 1,079 (21 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Anti-social behaviour: 909 incidents (17 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Criminal damage and arson: 543 incidents (10 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Public order: 508 incidents (10 crimes per 1,000 people)

Violence and sexual offences and shoplifting are a significant concern in Durham. These figures suggest efforts need to be made to tackle crime and improve the overall safety across the town.

Is Crime in Durham Increasing?

Crime in Durham is declining. Here’s the data from the past five years:

• 2020: 4,195 incidents (82 crimes per 1,000 people)
• 2021: 3,763 incidents (74 crimes per 1,000 people)
• 2022: 4,822 incidents (95 crimes per 1,000 people)
• 2023: 5,690 incidents (112 crimes per 1,000 people)
• 2024: 5,289 incidents (104 crimes per 1,000 people)

The decline in incidents in 2024 show County Durham’s Safe Durham Partnership Strategy 2024-29 is having a positive effect on crimes in the town. This means crime in Durham should continue to decline over the coming years.

How to Stay Safe in Durham

Even though crime in Durham is reducing, we still advise prioritising safety. Here are some practical safety tips for residents and businesses in Durham:

Tips for Residents:

• Secure Your Home: Ensure your property is well-lit and deter intruders by installing high quality locks of doors and windows.
• Invest in Security Technology: Protect your home by installing CCTV, alarm systems, and motion-sensor lights to help deter burglars.
• Protect Your Belongings: Whether at home or in public, minimise risk of theft by securing valuables and keeping them out of sight.

Tips for Businesses:

• Manned Guarding: Create a secure and welcoming environment with fully licensed security guards at your business premises.
• CCTV Monitoring Services: Consider 24/7 professional surveillance and real-time monitoring of your business premises to detect and respond to suspicious activity, and for added peace of mind.
• Keyholding and Alarm Response: These offer swift intervention of alarm activations on your business premises, ensuring continuous safety for employees, customers, and visitors.

Conclusion: Is Durham Safe?

As highlighted throughout this article, Durham’s crime rate has declined since 2024, thanks to Country Durham’s crime prevention strategy. Although the town’s crime rate is declining, we still recommend taking safety precautions in order to remain safe, as certain areas still have high levels of crime.

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If you found this article useful, you can learn more about crime rates on our News and Insights page.