Forest of Dean Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean's November 2023 crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents places it 30.7% below the UK average of 7.5, a consistent trend for the area. The most significant category by volume is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 47% of all recorded crimes, with a rate of 2.5 per 1,000—3% below the UK average. This aligns with the area's broader pattern of relatively low property crime (113 incidents) compared to violent crime (221 incidents), a ratio that diverges from many urban centres where property crime often dominates. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the distribution: Bonfire Night and the start of the Christmas shopping period may have heightened incidents of public order and anti-social behaviour, though these fell by 31% and 42.6% respectively compared to October. The area's rural character—marked by low population density and limited commercial hubs—may partly explain the sharp underperformance of shoplifting and vehicle crime, which are 64% and 60% below UK averages. However, the surge in 'Other crime' (131% above the UK average) remains unexplained by the data, pointing to a need for further localised analysis of this category. Overall, the crime profile illustrates how Forest of Dean's unique geography and seasonal rhythms shape its crime picture, even as it maintains a safer-than-average position nationally.

November 2023 saw a 44.4% increase in 'Other crime,' rising from 18 to 26 incidents—a shift that outpaced all other categories. This surge contrasts with a 42.6% drop in public order offences, which fell from 61 to 35, possibly linked to the transition from darker evenings to more controlled indoor activities. Burglary also rose by 26.7%, from 15 to 19, though this remains 41% below the UK average. The category of 'Other crime' stands out as the only type in Forest of Dean significantly exceeding the UK average (131% above), suggesting localised factors influencing this category. Meanwhile, theft from the person dropped by 50%, from 2 to 1, aligning with broader trends of reduced petty theft during colder months. These fluctuations illustrate how seasonal events like Bonfire Night and Black Friday may temporarily reshape crime dynamics, even as overall rates remain lower than national benchmarks.

Forest of Dean's November 2023 crime rate (5.2 per 1,000) marks a 12.4% decline from the previous month's 6.0, reflecting a sustained downward trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 191 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. This translates to approximately 16 crimes reported per day, a localised daily count that does not include UK-wide comparisons. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the area's overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, the distribution of crime types reveals distinct patterns. For instance, the 131% above UK average rate for 'Other crime' contrasts sharply with categories like anti-social behaviour, which are 33% below the UK average. These disparities underscore how specific local factors—such as seasonal events or community dynamics—can shape the crime profile in ways that diverge from national trends.