Crime Rate in Houghton: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Houghton

The total recorded crimes in Houghton, Sunderland, UK in May 2025 are around 120 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Houghton crime rate of 5.52 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 Houghton, encompassing approximately 21,749 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (38) incidents (-20.83% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (19) incidents (18.75% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (18) incidents (-18.18% decrease)
Houghton Crime Hotspots

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

  • Wheler Street with total crimes: 14
  • Sunrise Lane with total crimes: 9
  • Burn Promenade with total crimes: 6

How safe is Houghton?

To understand the safety of Houghton, we need to analyze Houghton crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Sunderland:

    • In 2024, Houghton reported a higher crime volume than the Sunderland average, with 1,616 crimes compared to 1,605. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Houghton witnessed more crimes than 17 out of 24 other areas in the Sunderland.

    • In 2023, Houghton experienced a greater number of crimes than the Sunderland average, with 1,645 crimes compared to 1,571. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Houghton witnessed more crimes than 18 out of 24 other areas in the Sunderland.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Sunderland, Houghton has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

Houghton Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Houghton has recorded 120 crimes with crime rate of 5.52 ranking 9th out of 24 in the Sunderland, UK

In 2024, the total Houghton crimes were 1,616. The crime rate of Houghton in 2024 was 74.30 (year) or 6.19 (month) ranking it 8 dangerous area in the Sunderland.

In 2023, the total crimes in Houghton were around 1,645 crimes with yearly crime rate of 75.63 (year) or 6.30 (month) ranking 7 most dangerous area in the Sunderland.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Houghton)CrimesRank (Houghton)CrimesRank (Houghton)
Hendon416 15,314 15,009 1
Millfield265 23,908 24,059 2
Washington North128 82,062 32,072 3
Southwick168 31,863 41,730 6
Pallion103 141,860 51,872 4
Castle163 41,383 151,500 12
St Peter's149 51,670 71,752 5
Ryhope108 131,762 61,571 9
Redhill141 61,582 101,586 8
St Anne's133 71,454 131,269 14
Washington Central109 121,582 91,512 10
Hetton114 101,533 111,478 13
Sandhill96 151,474 121,506 11
Silksworth112 111,416 141,207 15
Washington West89 161,078 171,150 16
Shiney Row83 201,154 161,142 17
Washington East87 17989 20988 19
Copt Hill75 241,031 181,124 18
St Michael's86 181,000 19933 21
Barnes84 19893 23772 24
St Chad's63 25760 25945 20
Doxford77 23977 21853 22
Fulwell81 21935 22841 23
Washington South77 22818 24767 25

Houghton Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (38 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (19 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (48 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (22 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (31 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (25 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 34 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 11 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (33 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (17 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 24 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 15 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (40 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (21 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (36 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (20 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (32 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (19 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (49 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (33 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 43 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 39 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (56 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (52 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (39 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (27 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 483 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 37.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202538
April 202548
March 202531
February 202534
January 202533
December 202424
November 202440
October 202436
September 202432
August 202433
July 202439
June 202456
May 202439

A total of 156 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 12.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20257
March 20255
February 20259
January 202512
December 202415
November 202410
October 20248
September 202415
August 202414
July 202415
June 202428
May 202410

A total of 55 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
March 20252
February 20255
January 20253
December 20243
November 20245
October 20243
September 20244
August 20241
July 20246
June 202416
May 20243

A total of 336 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 25.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202522
March 202525
February 202511
January 202516
December 202413
November 202421
October 202420
September 202419
August 202449
July 202443
June 202452
May 202427

A total of 108 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 8.31 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20253
March 202510
February 20252
January 202510
December 20247
November 20245
October 20245
September 202411
August 202410
July 202416
June 202416
May 20245

A total of 158 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 12.15 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202519
April 202516
March 202516
February 20256
January 202517
December 20248
November 202414
October 20249
September 20248
August 20247
July 202417
June 202414
May 20247

A total of 139 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 10.69 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20254
March 202512
February 20259
January 20259
December 20243
November 202411
October 20248
September 20249
August 202413
July 202410
June 202440
May 20246

A total of 53 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20256
March 20253
February 20252
January 20253
December 20243
November 20246
October 20244
September 20245
August 20242
July 20245
June 20248
May 20243

A total of 101 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.77 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20252
March 20256
February 20254
January 20256
December 20245
November 20248
October 202412
September 20248
August 20245
July 20245
June 202420
May 202411

A total of 102 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.85 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20256
March 20254
February 20255
January 20258
December 20246
November 20247
October 20247
September 20249
August 20249
July 202415
June 202414
May 20245

A total of 7 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20251
January 20251
October 20241
September 20241
June 20242

A total of 14 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
November 20241
October 20242
September 20244
August 20241
July 20241
June 20242
May 20242

A total of 3 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
September 20241
July 20241

A total of 4 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
January 20251
September 20241
August 20241

High Crime Locations Houghton in May 2025

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

1. Wheler Street (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting10
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson1
2. Sunrise Lane (Map)
Total9
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting2
Criminal damage and arson1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Burn Promenade (Map)
Total6
Shoplifting3
Anti-social behaviour1
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Highfield Grange (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Vehicle crime2
5. Parking Area (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting3
Burglary1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Morley Terrace (Map)
Total4
Criminal damage and arson2
Violence and sexual offences2
7. The Broadway (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
8. Leyburn Grove (Map)
Total4
Criminal damage and arson2
Burglary1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. South Street (Map)
Total3
Other crime1
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Sidings Place (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1

  • 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.