Bream Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Bream, Forest of Dean, reveal a crime rate of 81.1 per 1,000 residents over the period January 2025 to December 2025. This is slightly below the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively moderate level of crime. However, a significant upward trend of 17.9% year-on-year indicates a concerning increase in criminal activity. While figures fluctuated month to month, with a low of 3.4 per 1,000 in October 2025, the overall direction of change is cause for attention and proactive measures to ensure community safety. Understanding the nature of these crimes and the factors contributing to them is vital for developing effective preventative strategies.

The crime landscape of Bream is currently dominated by violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.5% of recorded incidents, followed closely by anti-social behaviour at 32.3%. Criminal damage and arson represent a further 9.1% of reported crimes, while public order offences contribute 6.8%. The prevalence of these crime types reflects a complex interplay of factors common to many rural and semi-rural communities. Bream's location, with a mix of residential areas and proximity to transport links, can contribute to opportunities for crime. Demographic shifts and socioeconomic factors may also play a role, although further analysis is required to establish definitive links. The relatively small population size also means that individual incidents can have a disproportionate impact on the overall crime rate.

Crime in Bream has been steadily increasing, with a significant rise of 17.9% year-on-year. Examining the monthly data reveals fluctuations, with a relative calm in October 2025 (3.4 per 1,000), but a recurring pattern of elevated crime levels in February, April, June, and July (around 9.3 per 1,000). The final months of the data period, November and December, saw a slight decrease, but this does not negate the overall upward trend. This escalating pattern warrants further investigation and proactive preventative measures to mitigate the risk to residents and maintain community safety. The increase is concerning, especially given the area's relatively rural nature.

How To Keep Safe in Bream

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s important to be vigilant when out alone, particularly at night. Walk with a friend or in well-lit areas. Due to the increased risk of criminal damage and arson, secure your property and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. With anti-social behaviour also a concern, be mindful of your surroundings and avoid confrontation. Finally, consider installing robust home security measures, such as security lighting and reinforced locks, to deter potential burglars.

The pattern of crime in Bream demonstrates a varied distribution throughout the day. Burglary incidents are slightly more frequent in the afternoon, while theft is more common during commercial hours. Vehicle crime is notably higher overnight, particularly between 11pm and 6am, indicating a potential vulnerability during these hours. The evening hours, from 6pm to 12am, see a greater proportion of incidents classified as ‘other’ crimes, suggesting a range of activities contributing to this category.

Comparing Bream’s crime rate to surrounding areas, Sling registers at 48.5 per 1,000, Yorkley and Whitecroft at 45.0, Clearwell at a remarkably low 0.0, and Milkwall at 23.4. This demonstrates that while Bream's rate is not exceptionally high, it remains above some immediate neighbours and significantly higher than Clearwell, highlighting a varied safety profile across the Forest of Dean.

Traditional CCTV systems often record incidents after they occur, providing little to no preventative action. Consider scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system that proactively detects threats at your property boundary. Unlike Ring or Nest cameras that simply record footage, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your entire property simultaneously, instantly verifying potential threats like fake DVLA plates with vehicle verification. The system learns your family’s routines and identifies deliveries, alerting you only to genuine risks. This autonomous response – lights activating, speakers engaging – creates a significant deterrent. Most burglars make their decision within 60 seconds; the visible presence of scOS can make them move on, preventing the crime altogether. While DIY security systems have their place, professional-grade protection like scOS provides a layer of proactive defence that reactive systems simply can’t match, especially in an area like Bream where crime is trending upwards.