Drybrook Crime Rate

Drybrook is an urban settlement in the Forest of Dean with a safety profile that closely mirrors the UK national average. Its safety score is 78/100, and its overall crime rate is 92.9 per 1,000 residents, nearly identical to the UK average of 93.1. However, the area has experienced a significant upward trend in crime recently, with a year-over-year increase of 26.2%. Despite this increase, property crime in Drybrook remains relatively low at 16.7 per 1,000 people. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types and examines monthly trends to help residents understand the changing safety landscape in their community.

Crime Breakdown in Drybrook

Drybrook has a crime rate that is closely aligned with the national average, with the most significant categories being violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences make up 44.9% of all reported crime (80 incidents), while anti-social behaviour represents 27.5% (49 incidents). Criminal damage and arson is also a notable concern, accounting for 9.6% of the total (17 incidents).

The property crime rate in Drybrook—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—is 16.7 per 1,000 residents. While this is higher than some of its immediate neighbours, it is still significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, with each accounting for less than 2% of total crime. For residents, this suggests that the primary security focus should be on personal safety and preventing vandalism or criminal damage. The low levels of burglary and vehicle crime are positive indicators for residential property security, though the prevalence of criminal damage warrants attention to exterior property protection.

Crime Trends in Drybrook

Drybrook has seen a significant increase in crime over the past year, with total offences rising by 26.2%. This upward trend is evident in the monthly data, where the crime rate jumped from 2.1 per 1,000 in November 2024 to much higher levels throughout 2025.

The rate peaked in August 2025 at 13.1 per 1,000, which is considerably higher than the area’s baseline. Other high points included June (11.5) and July (8.9). While the rate settled back to 7.3 by October 2025, it remains higher than it was at the start of the 12-month period. This trend indicates a shift in the local safety environment that residents should be aware of. Despite these monthly spikes, Drybrook’s annual average remains close to the national average, but the direction of change is a point of local concern.

How To Keep Safe in Drybrook

The highest crime category in Drybrook is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. While the area is as safe as the UK average, the recent increase in crime makes staying vigilant a sensible choice.

1. When walking through the village, particularly after dark, stick to the main, well-lit roads and avoid isolated paths or cut-throughs.
2. Criminal damage is a notable concern; consider installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home to deter opportunistic vandalism.
3. If you experience or witness persistent anti-social behaviour, report it to the local police; your reports help them allocate resources to the areas that need them most.
4. Ensure your home is clearly visible from the street by keeping hedges trimmed, which reduces hiding spots for potential intruders.
5. Even though vehicle crime is rare, always lock your car and remove all valuables to ensure your vehicle does not become an easy target for opportunistic theft.

Crime Patterns in Drybrook

Crime in Drybrook displays clear temporal trends, with different types of offences occurring at different times of the day. Theft-related crimes are most frequent during the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 42% and 45% of activity respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when the village is at its busiest.

In contrast, 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, become much more dominant in the evening (6pm - 12am) and night (12am - 6am), representing 70% and 64% of incidents in those periods. This indicates that social and property-related issues are more common when it is dark. Burglary risk is relatively low but shows a peak at night (16%). Vehicle crime is exceptionally low but also peaks slightly during the night hours. For residents, these patterns suggest that while personal safety and theft are concerns during the day, property protection against damage and burglary is most critical during the evening and night.

In the local context of the Forest of Dean, Drybrook has a higher crime rate than many of its immediate neighbours. Its rate of 92.9 per 1,000 people is considerably higher than Ruardean Woodside (24.9) and Ruardean (54.1). It also exceeds the rate in Mitcheldean (82.5). However, it remains safer than the larger town of Cinderford, which has a rate of 111.4. For those choosing between these settlements, Drybrook offers a level of safety that is typical for the UK but higher than the exceptionally low-crime villages nearby.

Home Security in Drybrook

Drybrook’s property crime rate is 16.7 per 1,000 people, with criminal damage being one of the top three reported offences. This indicates that while burglary and vehicle theft are rare, properties are still susceptible to vandalism or external interference. The challenge with traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, is that they are reactive. They only provide evidence after a window has been smashed or a wall has been spray-painted.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS offers a superior alternative by focusing on prevention. By monitoring your property’s perimeter, scOS can detect an intruder before they reach your home or vehicle. The system’s multi-camera intelligence identifies suspicious patterns and can autonomously initiate deterrents, such as activating floodlights or audio alerts. This immediate response is designed to stop a criminal in their tracks. In an area like Drybrook, where crime is on an upward trend, having a visible, intelligent security system that intervenes in real-time provides a level of protection that recording-only systems simply cannot match, giving you true peace of mind.