Forest of Dean Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean’s December 2023 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 marked a continued improvement, placing the area 26.4% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This performance aligns with the district’s character as a largely rural area with a mix of small towns and open countryside, where crime rates tend to be lower than in densely populated urban centres. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.8% of all reported crimes, though this rate (2.4 per 1,000) was 8% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 17.4% of total crimes, with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000—3% below the national figure. Public order offences, however, bucked the trend, rising to 0.6 per 1,000, 25% above the UK average. This anomaly may be influenced by December’s unique dynamics, including the Christmas shopping rush, extended dark hours, and the potential for increased social gatherings. The low rates of property crimes, particularly shoplifting (0.1 per 1,000, 80% below UK average) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000, 78% below UK average), suggest that the area’s lower retail and transportation density contributes to its overall safety profile. Seasonal factors, such as the closure of some businesses over the holidays and reduced foot traffic, likely played a role in these decreases. However, the increase in public order offences underscores the need for targeted strategies to address festive-related disruptions, especially in areas with higher concentrations of nightlife or public events.

December saw notable decreases in vehicle crime (-50%) and possession of weapons (-60%), reflecting a 14-to-7 and 5-to-2 reduction respectively. These declines may align with seasonal factors, such as reduced traffic during holiday periods or increased security measures in public spaces. Conversely, public order offences surged by 57.1%, rising from 35 to 55 incidents, a shift that could relate to the festive season’s social dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, though remaining the most common category (45.8% of total crimes), were 8% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), suggesting local efforts in community policing or targeted interventions may be yielding results. The 80% gap between Forest of Dean’s shoplifting rate and the UK average (0.1 vs 0.5 per 1,000) highlights a stark contrast, due to the area’s lower retail density or effective local retail crime prevention strategies.

Forest of Dean’s December 2023 crime rate (5.3 per 1,000) remained stable compared to November’s 5.2 per 1,000, reflecting a 0.4% month-on-month increase. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 15 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When considering the population of 89,753, the monthly exposure rate of one crime per 190 residents provides a tangible measure of risk, though this remains significantly below the UK average. The consistency in the overall rate suggests that local factors—such as seasonal fluctuations in retail activity or holiday-related disruptions—have not caused a sharp shift in crime patterns. This stability contrasts with some category-specific changes, such as the 57.1% increase in public order offences, which may warrant closer examination in the context of December’s typical social dynamics.