Coleford (Forest of Dean) Crime Rate

Coleford (Forest of Dean) has an overall crime rate of 122.6 per 1,000 residents, which is notably higher than the UK average of 93.1. This contributes to a safety score of 72/100. Despite the high volume of incidents, the recent trend is stable, showing a 3.0% decrease in crime year-over-year. It is also important to note that property crime in Coleford, at 29.7 per 1,000, remains lower than the national average. For residents and visitors, understanding these figures is key to maintaining personal and property safety. The following breakdown provides detailed insights into the most common types of crime in the area and the patterns of when they occur.

Crime Breakdown in Coleford (Forest of Dean)

Coleford's crime statistics are primarily characterized by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.6% of all recorded incidents (46.1 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category at 26.5%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.3%. Property-related crime—including burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts—occurs at an overall rate of 29.7 per 1,000 people. Shoplifting (5.2%) and 'other theft' (5.0%) are the leading types within this category. For residents and business owners, this data indicates that while personal safety and public order are the most visible issues, property crime represents nearly a third of all local offences, necessitating consistent attention to home and commercial security.

Crime Trends in Coleford (Forest of Dean)

Over the past 12 months, Coleford has maintained a stable crime profile, with a slight 3.0% decrease in total recorded incidents. Monthly data shows that the crime rate peaked significantly in June 2025 at 16.0 per 1,000 residents, followed by July at 12.6 and September at 12.2. The lowest rates were observed in December 2024 (6.6) and March 2025 (8.0). This indicates that while the overall trend is stable, the town experiences significant spikes in activity during the summer and early autumn months. For residents, this suggests that vigilance should be particularly high during these peak periods, even as the long-term trend remains slightly downward.

How To Keep Safe in Coleford (Forest of Dean)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Coleford. While this category is broad, personal safety is a priority for residents and visitors alike. To stay safe in the area, consider the following advice:

1. Stay alert when walking in the town centre during the evening, particularly in areas where anti-social behaviour is known to occur.
2. Ensure that your home and business premises are well-lit, as motion-sensor lighting can deter criminal damage and arson.
3. If you witness anti-social behaviour, report it to the local police to help them monitor and address recurring issues in the community.
4. Keep your vehicle secure and avoid leaving any items on display, as even in low-vehicle-crime areas, opportunistic theft can happen.
5. Participate in local neighbourhood watch or business crime reduction partnerships to stay informed about local safety trends and share information.

Time Patterns of Crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean)

Crime in Coleford follows a distinct temporal cycle. Theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during the morning (40%) and afternoon (44%), coinciding with the town's commercial activity and peak footfall. As the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts; evening hours are dominated by 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which account for 63% of recorded incidents. Night-time brings a higher relative risk for property owners, as burglary peaks during this period, representing 18% of all night-time offences. Vehicle crime also reaches its highest percentage (22%) between 12am and 6am. These patterns indicate that while daytime risks are primarily commercial, the evening and night hours present greater challenges for residential property security and public order.

In the local region, Coleford serves as a significant urban and commercial centre, which is reflected in its higher crime rate of 122.6 per 1,000. This is considerably more than nearby residential areas like Broadwell and Coalway (60.4) and Berry Hill (72.0). Smaller settlements like Milkwall (21.9) and Clearwell (0.0) offer much lower crime volumes. This context helps residents understand that while Coleford has more recorded incidents, it also provides more services and activity than its quieter neighbours. Comparing these local figures allows for a better understanding of the safety landscape across the Forest of Dean authority.

Protecting Your Property in Coleford (Forest of Dean)

With a property crime rate of 29.7 per 1,000 residents, Coleford homeowners and business operators face a consistent risk of theft, criminal damage, and burglary. While the burglary rate specifically is 2.4%, the high overall crime rate in the town centre means that opportunistic offences are a reality. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide a record of a crime after it has occurred, which can be frustrating for those seeking actual prevention.

The scOS operating system provides a proactive alternative, using AI to monitor property boundaries and detect threats in real-time. In Coleford, where night-time burglary accounts for 18% of incidents and vehicle crime peaks after dark, scOS can identify suspicious behaviour and trigger autonomous deterrents—like lighting or audio alerts—to stop a crime before it starts. This proactive detection is designed to destroy the element of surprise. By investing in a professional-grade AI system rather than a simple DIY recorder, you ensure that your property is a hard target. scOS focuses on prevention, giving you peace of mind that your home or business is actively protected around the clock.