NEW data reveals the most dangerous places to live north of the Tyne for home burglaries as break-ins are now being called a “free hit” in the UK. 

A new investigation by Personal Injury Claims UK gathered figures for every area covered by Northumbria Police including Hexham, Prudhoe and Morpeth to uncover the biggest increases and decreases in home invasion crimes for each area north of the Tyne.

Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveal which areas in the district are showing an improvement in home burglary figures and places where rates are rising. 

The region reported a total of 4,536 residential burglaries last year in 2023, averaging around 12 every day of the year.

Figures are similar to the previous year when police logged 4,548 incidents in 2022.

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Hexham had an 18 per cent decrease in burglaries, while Prudhoe had a 65 per cent increase, only surpassed by Alnwick with a 73 per cent rise.

Outraged ex-victims’ commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, said: “What these figures show is that in half of the neighbourhoods, burgling somebody's home is a free hit. The criminal can walk away with the proceeds and never look back.”

Percentage increase/decrease of residential burglaries between 2022 and 2023

  • Alnwick - 73 per cent increase
  • Ashington - 1 per cent increase
  • Bedlington - 23 per cent decrease 
  • Benwell & Elswick - 9 per cent decrease
  • Berwick - 67 per cent decrease
  • Birtley - 57 per cent increase
  • B’Law Kenton & Fawdon - 24 per cent decrease
  • Blyth - 4 per cent increase
  • Boldon & E Shields - 1 per cent decrease
  • Byker & Walker - 12 per cent decrease
  • Cramlington - 14 per cent increase
  • Fenham & Scotswood - 6 per cent increase
  • G’head Central & Quays - 24 per cent decrease
  • G’head IW & Whickham - 5 per cent decrease
  • G’Head IW & Blaydon - 23 per cent decrease
  • Gosforth & Great PK - 12 per cent increase
  • Hebburn & Jarrow - 1 per cent decrease
  • Hexham - 18 per cent decrease
  • Houghton - 28 per cent decrease
  • Jesmond & Heaton - 7 per cent decrease
  • Killingworth - 8 per cent increase
  • Low Fell & Allerdene - 24 per cent increase
  • Morpeth - 2 per cent decrease
  • Newcastle Central - 20 per cent decrease
  • North Shields - 20 per cent decrease
  • Prudhoe - 65 per cent increase
  • River & West Shields - 7 per cent decrease
  • Sunderland Central - 18 per cent increase
  • Sunderland East - 2 per cent decrease
  • Sunderland North - 9 per cent decrease
  • Sunderland South - 30 per cent increase
  • Sunderland West - 39 per cent increase
  • Wallsend - 45 per cent increase
  • Washington - 43 per cent increase
  • Westerhope & Newburn - 7 per cent decrease
  • Whitley Bay - 1 per cent decrease

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We are committed to tackling and preventing burglary offences across the North East.

“That’s why we have dedicated burglary teams in place across the force who are tasked with reviewing every break-in, monitoring crime trends and bringing perpetrators to justice.

“Already this year, we have seen dozens of burglars rightly put behind bars as a result of their crimes – and we will continue to do all we can to ensure effective justice is served against offenders.

“As ever, we would ask the public to support our work by reporting incidents to us, as well as taking a few simple steps to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

“We often see opportunistic offenders go street to street hoping to come across an unlocked door or window. Please take an extra second to ensure your doors and windows are locked, and any valuables kept out of sight.

“If you see anybody acting suspiciously in your community, always report it to us via the ‘Report’ page of our website or by calling 101. In an emergency, always call 999.”