Forest of Dean Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Forest of Dean recorded a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 40.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to the national context. The breakdown of crimes reveals a significant imbalance between property and violent crime, with violent crimes accounting for 40.9% of all reported incidents (175 cases) and property crimes comprising only 21.5% (92 cases). The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and public order offences. This pattern may reflect the area’s character as a largely rural district with pockets of urban activity, where interpersonal conflicts and anti-social behaviour are more likely to occur than property-related crimes. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, with October’s darker evenings and Halloween likely contributing to an increase in public order incidents. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.7 per 1,000, yet Forest of Dean’s rate of 2.0 per 1,000 is 25% below this, indicating a lower incidence of such crimes despite the area’s rural setting. This discrepancy could be attributed to local policing strategies, community cohesion, or the absence of high-density areas where such crimes are more common. However, the dominance of violent crime over property crime raises questions about the underlying dynamics in the area, linked to the social fabric of Forest of Dean’s population and the nature of its interactions. As the month progresses into the winter season, the impact of shorter daylight hours and seasonal events may continue to influence crime trends, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or community gatherings.

October 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with bicycle theft and theft from the person both doubling compared to the previous month. This 100% increase in these categories highlights a potential vulnerability in local security measures, particularly in areas where cycling is common or where individuals may be more exposed during darker evenings. Conversely, several categories experienced declines, including criminal damage and arson (-41.9%), possession of weapons (-40%), and vehicle crime (-40%). These reductions may reflect effective policing efforts or seasonal factors, such as the transition to shorter days reducing opportunities for certain crimes. The dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 40.9% of all incidents, contrasts with the UK average for this category (2.7 per 1,000), where Forest of Dean’s rate is 25% below. This disparity suggests that while the area is safer overall, targeted interventions may still be necessary to address the specific nature of violent crime in the region.

The crime rate in Forest of Dean remained stable in October 2024, with a slight 1.1% increase from the previous month’s 4.7 per 1,000 to 4.8 per 1,000. This continuity suggests that no major disruptions occurred during the transition from September to October. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 14 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the persistent nature of local crime patterns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 210 residents, a metric that contextualises the likelihood of encountering crime within the population. Given the area’s relatively small population of 89,753, this monthly exposure rate underscores the lower risk compared to more densely populated regions. The stability in the crime rate, combined with the low daily and monthly figures, indicates that Forest of Dean continues to maintain a crime profile that is safer than the UK average, though localised factors such as seasonal changes may still influence specific crime types.