Crime Rate in Sunderland: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Sunderland

The total recorded crimes in Sunderland, UK in May 2025 are around 3,127 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Sunderland crime rate of 11.41 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Sunderland, encompassing approximately 274,173 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1015) incidents (6.06% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (534) incidents (4.91% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (384) incidents (24.68% increase)
Sunderland Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Park Lane with total crimes: 57
  • Elizabeth Street with total crimes: 40
  • Derwent Street with total crimes: 34

Sunderland Police Info:

Northumbria Police

How safe is Sunderland?

To understand the safety of Sunderland, we need to analyze Sunderland crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Sunderland has recorded 40,114 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 146.31 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 35 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 39,283 crimes with a crime rate of 143.28, ranking it 31 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Tyne and Wear:

    • In 2024, Sunderland reported a higher crime volume than the Tyne and Wear average, with 40,114 crimes compared to 32,886. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Sunderland recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Sunderland experienced a greater number of crimes than the Tyne and Wear average, with 39,283 crimes compared to 31,820. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Sunderland recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Sunderland is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Tyne and Wear, Sunderland has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Sunderland Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Hendon (416 crimes), and the safest, St Chad's (63 crimes), is 353 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Sunderland.

Similarly, the area of Sunderland Central & Deptford (387 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Hall Farm (29 crimes), with a difference of 358 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Sunderland.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Hendon416
Millfield265
Southwick168
Castle163
St Peter's149

Safest Wards:

Fulwell81
Washington South77
Doxford77
Copt Hill75
St Chad's63

Most Dangerous Areas:

Sunderland Central & Deptford387
Hendon & Docks225
North Hylton138
Monkwearmouth134
Southwick121

Safest Areas:

Herrington & Doxford46
Fulwell45
Pallion South & High Barnes41
Springwell & Usworth40
Hall Farm29

Sunderland Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Sunderland has recorded 3,127 crimes with crime rate of 11.41 ranking 47th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Tyne and Wear.

In 2024, the total Sunderland crimes were 40,114. The crime rate of Sunderland in 2024 was 146.31 (year) or 12.19 (month) ranking it 35 danzarous in the UK. Sunderland ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Tyne and Wear.

In 2023, the total crimes in Sunderland were around 39,283 crimes with yearly crime rate of 143.28 (year) or 11.94 (month) ranking 31 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Tyne and Wear, Sunderland ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 2 as per crime rate of Sunderland

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Tyne and Wear)CrimesRank (Tyne and Wear)CrimesRank (Tyne and Wear)
North Tyneside1,941 525,348 523,831 5
Gateshead1,948 425,429 425,148 4
South Tyneside1,618 321,108 320,936 3
Newcastle upon Tyne3,996 152,430 149,901 1

Sunderland Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1015 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (534 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (957 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (509 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (948 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (379 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 860 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 364 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (937 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (373 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 924 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 320 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (905 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (499 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (918 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (514 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (948 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (505 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1027 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (666 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 957 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 680 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 264 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 24.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202522
March 202525
February 202519
January 202518
December 202426
November 202431
October 202418
September 202430
August 202429
July 202428

A total of 277 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 25.18 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202528
March 202528
February 202518
January 202529
December 202425
November 202425
October 202423
September 202429
August 202421
July 202422

A total of 3212 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 292.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 384 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025384
April 2025308
March 2025307
February 2025242
January 2025248
December 2024253
November 2024292
October 2024321
September 2024247
August 2024228
July 2024382

A total of 136 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 12.36 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202512
March 202516
February 20256
January 20258
December 20245
November 202416
October 202410
September 202414
August 202424
July 20249

A total of 921 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 83.73 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 123 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202579
April 202574
March 202587
February 202572
January 202577
December 202484
November 2024123
October 202492
September 202490
August 202470
July 202473

A total of 10396 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 945.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1027 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251015
April 2025957
March 2025948
February 2025860
January 2025937
December 2024924
November 2024905
October 2024918
September 2024948
August 20241027
July 2024957

A total of 964 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 87.64 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 102 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025100
April 202577
March 202589
February 202576
January 202587
December 202477
November 2024102
October 202480
September 202497
August 202489
July 202490

A total of 1768 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 160.73 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 213 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025161
April 2025135
March 2025140
February 2025119
January 2025154
December 2024186
November 2024203
October 2024154
September 2024155
August 2024213
July 2024148

A total of 5343 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 485.73 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 680 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025534
April 2025509
March 2025379
February 2025364
January 2025373
December 2024320
November 2024499
October 2024514
September 2024505
August 2024666
July 2024680

A total of 3147 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 286.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 348 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025290
April 2025272
March 2025239
February 2025249
January 2025257
December 2024262
November 2024339
October 2024273
September 2024308
August 2024348
July 2024310

A total of 1601 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 145.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 222 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025101
April 2025119
March 2025137
February 2025114
January 202597
December 2024119
November 2024137
October 2024222
September 2024157
August 2024205
July 2024193

A total of 164 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 14.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202514
March 202516
February 20257
January 202513
December 20246
November 202417
October 202416
September 202416
August 202419
July 202424

A total of 1904 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 173.09 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 207 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025164
April 2025134
March 2025177
February 2025140
January 2025158
December 2024197
November 2024185
October 2024178
September 2024176
August 2024188
July 2024207

A total of 2367 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 215.18 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 258 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025220
April 2025211
March 2025211
February 2025164
January 2025199
December 2024188
November 2024232
October 2024227
September 2024211
August 2024258
July 2024246

High Crime Locations Sunderland in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Sunderland postcode area is presented below.

1. Park Lane (Map)
Total57
Shoplifting27
Violence and sexual offences12
Drugs6
Theft from the person3
Public order3
Other theft3
Bicycle theft3
2. Elizabeth Street (Map)
Total40
Shoplifting32
Public order8
3. Derwent Street (Map)
Total34
Violence and sexual offences32
Theft from the person1
Other theft1
4. Castellian Road (Map)
Total31
Anti-social behaviour15
Shoplifting11
Robbery2
Public order2
Vehicle crime1
5. Stockton Road (Map)
Total27
Violence and sexual offences19
Public order5
Criminal damage and arson3
6. Glasbury Avenue (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting21

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.