Forest of Dean Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean's overall crime rate in December 2025 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, 41.4% below the UK average of 7.0. This marked a continued trend of lower-than-average crime levels, reflecting the area's characteristics as a relatively rural district with a mix of residential and natural landscapes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.3% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.5%) and other theft (8.7%). The seasonal context of December—characterised by darker evenings, holiday shopping, and the emptying of homes during the festive season—may have influenced these patterns, though the area's lower-than-average rates suggest effective local measures or demographic factors. For instance, the UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, whereas Forest of Dean recorded 1.7 per 1,000, 34% below. This could be attributed to the district's smaller population density and community-focused policing strategies. Similarly, anti-social behaviour, which often rises in urban areas during festive periods, was 14% below the UK average here. The data also shows a notable absence of shoplifting compared to national trends, with Forest of Dean's rate at 0.1 per 1,000—82% below the UK average. This may reflect the limited retail presence in the area or the impact of seasonal closures on petty crime opportunities. While violent crime remains the most common category, its relatively low rate compared to the UK average highlights the effectiveness of local interventions or the area's unique demographic profile.

December 2025 saw significant decreases in several crime categories, with shoplifting falling by 28.6% compared to November (from 14 to 10 incidents) and vehicle crime dropping by 20% (from 10 to 8). These declines may be linked to the Christmas shopping season, which could have reduced opportunities for theft in retail areas, or to increased community vigilance during the festive period. Conversely, bicycle theft rose sharply by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident), a rare occurrence in the area that may be attributed to the increased use of bicycles during colder months or the presence of new cycling infrastructure. Burglary also increased by 75% (from 12 to 21 incidents), reflecting the seasonal pattern of empty homes during the holiday period, which is a known risk factor for residential crime. Other theft rose by 23.1% (from 26 to 32 incidents), though this remained significantly below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000 (Forest of Dean recorded 0.4 per 1,000). The data also reveals that Forest of Dean's rates for several categories—such as drugs (63% below UK average) and possession of weapons (100% below)—are exceptionally low, suggesting a strong local focus on reducing drug-related crime and gun violence. For residents, the 28.6% drop in shoplifting could indicate that local businesses have successfully implemented security measures or that the community has become more proactive in reporting suspicious activity.

December 2025 marked a 6.8% decrease in Forest of Dean's crime rate compared to the previous month, falling from 4.4 to 4.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline places the area well below the UK average, with a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 243 residents—a figure that underscores the relatively low risk of victimisation in the district. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 12 crimes per day, a figure that, while consistent with the monthly rate, may appear higher to residents due to the concentration of incidents in specific categories such as violence and anti-social behaviour. When compared to the UK average, Forest of Dean's performance in key crime categories is striking: violence and sexual offences are 34% below the national rate, anti-social behaviour is 14% below, and criminal damage and arson are 42% below. These figures suggest that the area's unique characteristics—such as its rural setting, smaller population, and possibly stronger community ties—contribute to its lower crime levels. The comparison also highlights the importance of contextual factors: for example, the UK's higher rates of vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) contrast with Forest of Dean's 0.1 per 1,000, which may reflect the area's lower vehicle density or more secure parking arrangements. For residents, the data reinforces that Forest of Dean remains one of the safer areas in the UK, with crime rates that are consistently below national averages and a monthly risk profile that is significantly less severe than in more densely populated regions.