Coleford (Forest of Dean) Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Coleford (Forest of Dean), covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a crime rate of 120.0 per 1,000 residents annually. This figure surpasses the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating a higher incidence of reported crimes within the area. While the overall crime rate has remained stable, demonstrating a 1.2% year-on-year change, certain crime types, particularly violence and sexual offences, contribute significantly to the overall statistic. Understanding these trends and the factors influencing them is essential for promoting community safety and developing effective crime prevention strategies.

Coleford (Forest of Dean) experiences a notable level of crime, with a rate of 120.0 per 1,000 residents annually, exceeding the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. The most prevalent crimes are violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.9 incidents per 1,000 residents (37.4% of all reported crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (30.5 per 1,000, 25.4%), and criminal damage and arson (11.4 per 1,000, 9.5%). Overall property crime rates stand at 30.3 per 1,000, reflecting a concentration of issues within the local area. Factors potentially contributing to these statistics may include the area’s demographics, the level of economic activity, and the availability of community resources. Understanding these underlying elements is crucial for developing targeted crime prevention strategies.

The crime rate in Coleford has remained stable, showing a modest increase of 1.2% year-on-year. Monthly data reveals fluctuations throughout the year. Notably, June 2025 experienced a spike in crime (16.0 per 1,000), followed by a decline in subsequent months. November (6.8 per 1,000) and December (5.6 per 1,000) saw the lowest monthly rates. These variations may be influenced by seasonal factors or specific local events.

How To Keep Safe in Coleford

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, especially when out alone. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid walking through secluded areas. With anti-social behaviour also a concern, report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Secure your property thoroughly – ensure doors and windows are locked, and consider installing security lighting. Be mindful of your belongings and avoid displaying valuables. Finally, be cautious when engaging with strangers and trust your instincts.

Crime in Coleford exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. Burglaries are most likely to occur during the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), with a slight increase in the late night hours (12am-6am). Vehicle crime also tends to peak during the night. Theft is more prevalent during commercial hours in the afternoon, while other crimes show a more even distribution. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see a higher proportion of crimes classified as 'other,' suggesting a complex interplay of factors.

Comparing Coleford’s crime rate to its neighbours, Broadwell and Coalway reports a rate of 60.1 per 1,000, while Milkwall records a significantly lower rate of 23.4 per 1,000. Clearwell, conversely, demonstrates a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, highlighting considerable variation within the Forest of Dean. These disparities underscore the importance of targeted interventions and localised crime prevention efforts to address the unique challenges faced by each community.

Traditional CCTV systems often record footage after a burglary has occurred. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, takes a proactive approach. By monitoring all cameras simultaneously with multi-camera intelligence and instantly verifying vehicles via DVLA data, scOS detects potential threats at the property boundary, preventing crime before it happens. The pattern learning functionality recognises familiar faces like family members and delivery drivers, minimising false alarms. The visible presence of scOS, with its autonomous response – lights activating and speakers engaging – creates a significant deterrent, often causing potential intruders to move on within those critical first 60 seconds. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats at your property line is another.