Broadwell and Coalway Crime Rate

Broadwell and Coalway is a secure settlement in the Forest of Dean, characterised by its high safety score of 86/100. The area's overall crime rate is 60.4 per 1,000 residents, which is considerably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. The community has seen a significant improvement in safety recently, with a year-over-year crime decrease of 17.4%. With a property crime rate of only 12.3, the area offers a safe environment for its 2,900 residents. This analysis breaks down the specific crime types reported in the area and explores monthly trends to provide a clear picture of the local safety landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Broadwell and Coalway

Broadwell and Coalway maintain a relatively low crime profile, with the most frequent incidents categorised as violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and public order offences. Violence and sexual offences lead the statistics, representing 39.2% of all reported crime (69 incidents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, making up 27.3% (48 incidents), followed by public order offences at 9.1% (16 incidents).

The overall property crime rate for the area—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—is 12.3 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9, indicating that homes and belongings are generally secure. Burglary specifically accounts for 4.0% of total crime, with 7 incidents reported annually. While these figures are low, the prevalence of public order and anti-social behaviour suggests that community-level security and visible deterrence remain relevant for maintaining the area's high safety standards. For homeowners, the low rate of vehicle crime (1.1%) is a particularly positive indicator for the safety of local residential streets.

Crime Trends in Broadwell and Coalway

Broadwell and Coalway have seen a positive trend in safety over the past year, with total crime decreasing by 17.4%. Monthly data reveals a somewhat volatile but generally low crime rate. The year began with relatively low rates, dipping to 2.8 per 1,000 in February 2025.

There were notable spikes in the spring and summer, with the crime rate reaching 7.9 in April and peaking at 10.0 in June 2025. These fluctuations are typical for smaller settlements where even a few additional incidents can significantly impact the per-1,000 rate. However, by October 2025, the rate had settled back down to 3.8, consistent with the levels seen at the end of 2024. The overall year-over-year decrease suggests that despite these temporary spikes, the community is becoming safer and more secure.

How To Keep Safe in Broadwell and Coalway

The most common crime category in Broadwell and Coalway is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour. While the area is generally very safe, taking simple precautions can help maintain your personal security.

1. Be mindful of your surroundings when walking through the village, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid less-frequented areas.
2. Given that burglary peaks at night, ensure all ground-floor windows and doors are double-checked and locked before going to bed.
3. Anti-social behaviour can sometimes occur in public spaces; if you encounter a group or situation that feels uncomfortable, move to a busier area and report any persistent issues to the local police.
4. Keep valuables like laptops, tablets, and car keys out of sight from windows, as most burglaries in low-crime areas are opportunistic.
5. Consider installing a motion-activated light at the front and rear of your property to increase visibility and deter unwanted visitors during the night.

Crime Patterns in Broadwell and Coalway

Crime in Broadwell and Coalway shows distinct temporal patterns, particularly regarding property-related offences. Theft is most common during the daylight hours, accounting for 45% of crime in both the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm). This likely reflects opportunistic activity during hours when residents are out at work or shopping.

Burglary risk fluctuates throughout the day but reaches its highest intensity at night (12am - 6am), where it accounts for 31% of all incidents. This is a significant concentration, suggesting that night-time security is the most critical factor for local homeowners. Conversely, vehicle crime is exceptionally low throughout all periods. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a shift towards 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 57% of activity in that window. Understanding these cycles allows residents to be more vigilant at high-risk times, particularly regarding home security overnight.

Within the local Forest of Dean region, Broadwell and Coalway sits in the middle of the safety spectrum. Its crime rate of 60.4 per 1,000 people makes it significantly safer than the neighbouring town of Coleford, which has a much higher rate of 122.6. It is also safer than Berry Hill (72.0). However, it experiences more crime than the smaller settlements of Milkwall (21.9) and Sling (50.5). For residents, Broadwell and Coalway provides a balanced safety profile, offering more security than the larger nearby urban centres while maintaining the amenities of a well-populated settlement.

Home Security in Broadwell and Coalway

Broadwell and Coalway has a low property crime rate of 12.3 per 1,000 people, but burglary accounts for 4.0% of all crime, with a notable peak occurring during the night-time hours (31%). This highlights a critical weakness in traditional security systems like basic alarms or standard CCTV. These systems are often reactive, only alerting you once a sensor has been tripped or a window broken. By then, the intruder is already inside or damage has been caused.

A proactive AI-powered security system like scOS offers a different level of protection. By using intelligent boundary detection, scOS monitors the perimeter of your property and identifies potential threats before they reach your home. If a suspicious individual is detected on your property at night, the system can autonomously activate deterrents like floodlights or voice alerts. This immediate intervention is often enough to stop a crime in its tracks. In an area like Broadwell and Coalway, where the risk is low but concentrated at specific times, the goal is to ensure your home is never the easiest target, providing a level of security that traditional recording-only systems simply cannot match.