Forest of Dean Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean’s overall crime rate in January 2024 stood at 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figures align with the area’s character as a largely rural district with lower population density, which historically correlates with reduced property crime and more dispersed social interactions. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 43% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.5%) and public order offences (11.1%). These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal conflicts rather than property-related crimes, a trend consistent with smaller communities where personal disputes may escalate more readily. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday lulls, reduced retail footfall, and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the lower overall crime rate compared to busier months. However, the persistence of public order offences above the UK average (25% higher) indicates a unique challenge for local authorities, possibly linked to the area’s mix of rural and semi-urban spaces where enforcement and community engagement strategies may require tailored approaches. This data underscores the importance of understanding local dynamics, as the Forest of Dean’s crime profile differs significantly from both urban and other rural areas, necessitating context-specific policy responses.

January 2024 saw a sharp 200% increase in theft from the person, with incidents rising from one to three. This spike, though small in absolute terms, signals a potential shift in criminal activity patterns during the post-holiday period. Bicycle theft also doubled, moving from zero to one incident, a figure that, while statistically minor, may reflect increased outdoor activity in the colder months or targeted opportunism in less densely populated areas. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 19.5%, likely influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced social gatherings and shorter evenings. Public order offences, however, remain 25% above the UK average, a consistent anomaly that may be linked to the area’s unique mix of rural and semi-urban environments, where public spaces are used differently compared to larger cities. These fluctuations highlight the need for targeted awareness, particularly around personal belongings and local hotspots for public order issues.

Forest of Dean’s crime rate in January 2024 rose slightly to 5.4 per 1,000 residents from 5.3 per 1,000 in December, marking a 3.4% increase. This small uptick follows a seasonal pattern typical for January, a post-holiday period with reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may influence crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 16 crimes per day, a figure that, while consistent with historical trends, highlights the need for vigilance during colder months. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 184 residents over the course of the month. While this rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, the slight rise in overall crime underscores the importance of community awareness, particularly in areas where public order offences have shown a notable increase. The population context further illustrates that, despite the absolute number of crimes, the rate remains manageable compared to larger urban centres with higher population densities and more concentrated social interactions.