Forest of Dean Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean’s August 2024 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 39% below the UK average of 8.2, reflecting a consistently lower-than-national crime profile. The most prevalent category of crime remains violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 38.9% of all reported incidents—26% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences followed, contributing 22.8% and 8.0% respectively, both significantly lower than national benchmarks. This pattern aligns with the area’s character as a rural district with limited urban density, where violent crime is less concentrated compared to major cities. Seasonal factors appear to influence the crime profile: August, a peak holiday month, likely correlates with increased tourism, which may contribute to shoplifting and theft from the person. However, these crimes remain low compared to the UK average, suggesting that local deterrents—such as community policing or low population density—may mitigate such risks. Conversely, the data also highlights vulnerabilities, such as the 72% shortfall in shoplifting rates compared to the UK, which could indicate either effective prevention measures or underreporting. The overall crime picture for Forest of Dean illustrates a balance between consistent low rates and occasional spikes in specific categories, requiring tailored strategies to address emerging trends while maintaining the area’s generally safer profile.

August 2024 saw a dramatic 300% increase in bicycle theft, with incidents rising from 1 to 4. This surge, while modest in absolute terms, highlights a sharp shift in criminal activity that may reflect seasonal changes or unsecured vehicle storage in the area. Concurrently, shoplifting increased by 240%, jumping from 5 to 17 cases, a figure that suggests heightened retail activity or targeted theft during the summer months. These spikes contrast with notable declines in other categories, including a 66.7% drop in possession of weapons, which fell from 6 to 2 incidents. The overall crime mix in Forest of Dean remains skewed towards violent and anti-social crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 38.9% of all reported incidents—26% below the UK average. This pattern is consistent with the area’s character, where public spaces and community hubs may drive such offences. Residents might find the 300% rise in bicycle theft particularly concerning, as it underscores the need for secure storage solutions in both urban and rural parts of the district.

Forest of Dean’s August 2024 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 7.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.5, continuing a downward trend observed in recent months. This rate translates to approximately 15 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while locally relevant, offers a tangible sense of the scale of criminal activity in the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 199 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the frequency of incidents in a way that aligns with the area’s population of 89,753. While this statistic is lower than the UK average, it underscores the importance of localised analysis, as the UK’s overall crime rate is significantly higher. The decrease in the overall rate is consistent with broader patterns seen in Forest of Dean, where community-focused policing and seasonal factors may have contributed to the reduction in reported crimes.