Forest of Dean Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Forest of Dean’s crime profile in September 2024, accounting for 39.6% of all reported crimes—a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents, 27% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This category, which includes assault, sexual violence, and harassment, was the most frequently reported crime, reflecting the area’s demographic and social context. The second most common category, anti-social behaviour, accounted for 21.9% of total crimes, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000, 15% below the UK average. These figures suggest that while the area faces challenges related to interpersonal violence, its overall crime environment remains significantly safer than the national average. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to academic routines and the closure of summer-focused businesses—likely contributes to the observed trends, with reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the sharp rise in possession of weapons, though small in absolute terms, indicates a potential shift in local dynamics that warrants further attention. Forest of Dean’s rural character, combined with its lower population density, may also play a role in shaping its crime profile, as evidenced by the lower rates of property crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft compared to urban counterparts. The area’s commitment to community policing and local initiatives may further explain its ability to maintain a crime rate that is 39% below the UK average, despite the challenges posed by seasonal transitions.

September 2024 saw marked shifts in Forest of Dean’s crime profile, with possession of weapons reporting a 150% increase from 2 to 5 incidents—a change that, while small in absolute terms, signals potential changes in local dynamics. Concurrently, drug-related crimes rose by 40%, from 5 to 7 cases, a movement that could reflect seasonal social dynamics or unmet demand during the back-to-school period. In contrast, shoplifting fell by 41.2%, dropping from 17 to 10 incidents—a decline that may be attributed to the closure of summer tourist shops and the transition to academic routines. Burglary also decreased by 26.3%, from 19 to 14 cases, a trend consistent with the area’s generally lower property crime rates. Forest of Dean’s violence and sexual offences rate of 1.9 per 1,000 was 27% below the UK average, a disparity that, when combined with the area’s rural character, suggests a unique interplay between population density and crime prevention measures. These changes illustrate the dynamic nature of local crime trends, offering insights that may inform community safety initiatives.

Forest of Dean’s September 2024 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents marked a 6.3% decline from the previous month’s 5.0 per 1,000, a shift that aligns with seasonal patterns observed in similar rural districts. This monthly decrease, though modest, reflects broader trends seen during the autumn transition, when reduced outdoor activity and the closure of summer-focused businesses contribute to lower crime rates. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 14 crimes per day, a figure that, when contextualised against the local population of 89,753, translates to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 212 residents. This statistic underscores the area’s consistently lower crime profile compared to the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be significantly higher. The population-scaled perspective further highlights Forest of Dean’s unique position: while its overall crime rate remains well below national benchmarks, specific categories—such as the sharp rise in possession of weapons—require careful interpretation. These figures, when considered alongside the area’s rural character and limited urban density, suggest that localised factors, including community engagement and policing strategies, may play a role in maintaining the area’s relatively low crime environment.