Forest of Dean Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean area experiences an overall crime rate of 65.2 per 1,000 residents per year, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to a robust safety score of 85 out of 100, placing Forest of Dean significantly above the UK average safety score of 78/100. Over the past year, crime rates in the Forest of Dean have remained stable, showing a marginal increase of 0.1%. These figures provide a foundation for understanding the local crime landscape, with more detailed breakdowns and trends discussed in the following sections.

About Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean, a predominantly rural local authority district with scattered market towns and villages, presents a unique demographic and characteristic profile that influences its crime statistics. Its vast natural landscape, including the ancient woodland, attracts tourism and outdoor activities, which can sometimes lead to opportunistic theft or anti-social behaviour in popular spots. However, the strong community ties often found in rural and semi-rural settings contribute to a lower overall crime rate. The district lacks major urban centres, large commercial hubs, or extensive nightlife, which typically correlate with higher instances of violence, public order offences, and property crime seen in more densely populated areas. The relatively stable population and lower transient numbers compared to metropolitan areas also play a role in maintaining a lower crime rate and a higher safety score.

Crime Type Breakdown in Forest of Dean

In Forest of Dean, the most prevalent crime types are Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences account for 2353 incidents, equating to 26.2 per 1,000 residents and representing 40.2% of all crimes. Anti-social behaviour is also significant with 1432 reported incidents, or 15.9 per 1,000 residents, making up 24.5% of the total. Criminal damage and arson reports total 456, at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, accounting for 7.8% of crimes.

Focusing on property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, the rate stands at 15.3 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, there were 222 burglaries (2.5 per 1,000), 143 vehicle crimes (1.6 per 1,000), and 330 other thefts (3.7 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest a relatively lower risk for property-related offences compared to the national picture, but remaining vigilant against these common crime types is always advisable.

Crime Trends in Forest of Dean

Over the last year, Forest of Dean has experienced a stable crime trend, with the total number of recorded crimes showing a marginal increase of 0.1% year-over-year. Examining the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents reveals some fluctuations. Crime rates were relatively lower towards the end of 2024, at 4.8 in October and 4.6 in December. However, a noticeable increase occurred in the spring and early summer of 2025, peaking in June at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Following this, the rates saw a slight decrease in July and August, before dropping to 4.7 in September 2025, returning to levels similar to the previous year's autumn. This stable trend suggests that while there are monthly variations, the overall crime situation has not significantly worsened or improved, indicating a consistent level of safety for residents.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When considering the regional context, Forest of Dean's crime rate of 65.2 per 1,000 residents compares favourably to several neighbouring areas. For instance, Gloucester, a larger urban centre, typically experiences higher crime rates. Stroud and Tewkesbury often present crime profiles that can be somewhat similar but may vary based on their specific urban or rural characteristics. Cheltenham, known for its regency architecture and cultural events, might see different crime patterns, particularly related to public order and theft in its more bustling areas. South Gloucestershire, a more populous and diverse local authority, generally has a higher volume and rate of crime due to its larger size and varied urban and suburban landscapes. Monmouthshire, across the Welsh border, shares some rural characteristics with Forest of Dean and may exhibit comparable, often lower, crime rates in its less populated areas, though specific comparisons would depend on its own detailed statistics. Overall, Forest of Dean maintains a relatively safer position within its regional context.

Protecting Your Property in Forest of Dean

Given Forest of Dean's property crime rate of 15.3 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK average, it is still essential for residents to consider robust home security. While traditional security measures like alarms and CCTV cameras record incidents, they often provide footage after a crime has occurred. For true peace of mind and proactive protection, consider advanced systems that focus on prevention.

Modern AI-powered security operating systems, like scOS, are designed to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping intruders before they even attempt a break-in. Unlike systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS leverages multi-camera intelligence to watch all areas simultaneously, learning your routines to distinguish between family, deliveries, and genuine threats. This proactive approach means that potential burglars, who often decide within 60 seconds whether to proceed, are deterred by visible, professional-grade security that signals serious protection. Imagine lights activating and speakers engaging autonomously; this element of surprise is a powerful deterrent. Investing in prevention over mere reaction can significantly enhance your home's security and help maintain the safety score in Forest of Dean.