Cinderford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Cinderford's crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 52.6% of all reported crimes—30 incidents in total. This category's rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents placed it 36% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect local conditions such as community interactions or specific incidents in the built-up area of the Forest of Dean. Anti-social behaviour (7 cases, 12.3% of total) and criminal damage and arson (4 cases, 7.0%) followed as the next most common categories, though both showed mixed comparisons to national figures. The overall crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents placed Cinderford 4.4% below the UK average, a contrast that could be attributed to the area's rural character and lower population density. Seasonal context suggests that January's shorter days and post-holiday lull in retail activity may have reduced opportunities for certain crimes, though the sharp rise in violence and sexual offences defies this pattern. The Forest of Dean's status as a relatively isolated area may contribute to unique crime dynamics, with limited external influences compared to larger urban centres. Shoplifting and vehicle crime both showed significant deviations from UK averages, with shoplifting at 0.5 per 1,000 (12% below the UK figure) and vehicle crime at 0.2 per 1,000 (46% below). These figures, while seemingly contradictory, may indicate that local enforcement or environmental factors—such as reduced foot traffic in shops or lower vehicle density—temporarily suppress certain crime types. The overall picture, however, remains one of volatility, with the dramatic increase in violent crime underscoring the need for further analysis of local triggers.

Violence and sexual offences surged by 114.3% in January 2026, rising from 14 to 30 incidents—a stark contrast to the 52.6% share of total crimes this category now holds. This spike, though not directly linked to seasonal factors, aligns with the post-holiday period, which may see increased tensions or social interactions in the Forest of Dean's built-up areas. Shoplifting also doubled from zero to four cases, a figure that falls 12% below the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour decreased by 50.0%, from 14 to 7 incidents, a drop consistent with reduced retail footfall during January's shorter days. The rate for violence and sexual offences (3.4 per 1,000) is 36% above the UK average, suggesting local dynamics—such as community density or specific incidents—may contribute to this divergence. Residents might note that vehicle crime, at 0.2 per 1,000, is 46% below the UK average, reflecting lower traffic density in Cinderford compared to more urbanised regions.

Cinderford's crime rate in January 2026 (6.5 per 1,000) reflects a 39.1% increase from the previous month's 4.7 per 1,000. On average, the area experienced two crimes per day during the month, a figure that contextualises local activity without direct UK comparison. Monthly exposure data shows that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 155 residents, a statistic that highlights the scale of incidents relative to population size. This rate, while below the UK average, contrasts with the previous month's trajectory, suggesting seasonal or situational factors may have influenced the rise. The population context—Cinderford's 8,808 residents—means that crime impacts a proportionally smaller number of individuals than in larger urban areas, though the absolute increase remains notable for a rural community. The shift from December's 4.7 to January's 6.5 per 1,000 underscores the volatility of monthly crime trends in such areas, where smaller populations can show sharper fluctuations.