Total Crime Rate
32.7 per 1,000
All offences · May 2025 - Apr 2026Violent Crime Rate
9.8 per 1,000
May 2025 - Apr 2026Penshaw Way area has the 8th lowest crime rate of 27 local areas in Birtley , and the 182nd lowest crime rate of 693 local areas in Gateshead .
This postcode forms a relatively safe pocket compared with the surrounding streets. Neighbouring areas record much higher crime levels, even though this postcode itself remains comparatively low-crime.
The overall crime rate in the area around Penshaw Way (DH3 2SA) in the last 12 months was 32.7 per 1,000 residents and was 64.1% lower than the Birtley average (91.0 per 1,000 residents). In the last 12 months, this area’s most reported crimes were Violence and sexual offences with 3 offences recorded. The least common crime was Criminal damage and arson with 1 case , unchanged from 2025. The fastest-growing crime category was Burglary ( 100.0% YoY). The sharpest decline was Other theft ( -50.0% YoY).
Violent crimes totalled 3 (≈ 9.8 per 1,000 residents). Year-over-year these were falling ( -25.0% ). Over the last decade, overall crime has falling ( -90.6% comparing early vs recent averages) .
In the area around Penshaw Way (DH3 2SA), the main crime hotspot is near Portmeads Rise. Police recorded 25 crimes here, including 13 violent or public-order offences. All these locations are within roughly 0.3 miles.
View Crime In Birtley| Month | Crime | Location* | Last Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | Brightlea | Under investigation |
| Apr 2026 | Burglary | Brightlea | Under investigation |
| Apr 2026 | Vehicle crime | Brightlea | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| Apr 2026 | Other theft | Portobello Way | Under investigation |
StreetScan crime figures are based on official UK open data:
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.