Forest of Dean Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 89,753, 466 reported crimes in March 2024 translate to 5.2 crimes per 1,000 residents—32.5% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This rate places Forest of Dean among the safer areas in England and Wales. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 48.7% of all crimes, with 227 incidents reported. Anti-social behaviour (18.5%) and public order offences (7.3%) followed, reflecting the area’s mix of rural and urban settings. The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks moving forward, may have influenced patterns, as increased street lighting and daylight hours often correlate with reduced crime in similar areas. However, the high proportion of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences typically constitute around 2.7 per 1,000 residents. This suggests a localised factor—perhaps related to the area’s social demographics or seasonal events—could be contributing. The drop in shoplifting by 79.5% compared to February may indicate a seasonal lull, though further analysis would be needed to confirm if this reflects broader trends or isolated incidents. Overall, the data illustrates a combination of local conditions and national averages, with Forest of Dean’s crime profile shaped by its unique character as a historic district with a mix of communities and landscapes.

March 2024 saw significant shifts in crime patterns compared to February, with some categories rising sharply while others fell. Possession of weapons surged by 100%, jumping from zero to six incidents—a figure that, while small, may signal emerging concerns. Concurrently, drug-related offences increased by 83.3%, rising from six to 11 cases. Vehicle crime also rose by 21.4%, possibly linked to seasonal changes as more people travel for spring activities. In contrast, shoplifting plummeted by 79.5%, from 44 to nine incidents—a stark drop that could reflect seasonal retail patterns or targeted policing efforts. Other crime fell by 57.1% (14 to 6) and other theft by 32.3% (31 to 21). Shoplifting in Forest of Dean remains 84% below the UK average, a gap that highlights the area’s distinct profile compared to national trends. The rise in possession of weapons, though modest in absolute terms, is 43% above the UK average, a discrepancy that warrants attention. These shifts suggest a mix of factors influencing crime, from seasonal transitions to localised pressures, with the need for continued monitoring to understand their implications.

The crime rate in March 2024 (5.2 per 1,000 residents) marked a 6.1% decrease from February’s rate of 5.5 per 1,000, indicating a modest but measurable decline over the month. On a daily basis, Forest of Dean experienced approximately 15 crimes per day, a figure that, when contextualised against the local population, translates to roughly one crime for every 193 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the national average, though the UK does not provide a comparable daily figure for this metric. The population context further underscores the significance of these numbers: for every 1,000 residents in Forest of Dean, there are 5.2 crimes reported, compared to 7.7 across the UK. This difference, while statistically significant, may reflect the area’s unique characteristics—its relatively low population density, historical infrastructure, and community structures—which could contribute to lower crime rates. However, the persistent gap in certain categories, such as shoplifting (84% below UK average) and anti-social behaviour (14% below), suggests that local factors such as policing strategies, community engagement, or economic conditions may be playing a role. These comparisons offer residents a clearer understanding of how their area’s safety profile aligns with national trends, while also highlighting areas where local initiatives may be making an impact.