Forest of Dean Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Forest of Dean, 5.4 crimes were reported in February 2025—a rate that is 19.4% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This translates to a per-capita risk of encountering crime that is significantly lower than the national context, with the area's overall profile shaped by a combination of seasonal factors and local characteristics. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45% of all incidents, a share that aligns with the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 20.5% of the total, a rate that is 13% above the national average. This may reflect the area's community dynamics, where social interactions in public spaces could contribute to such incidents. Property crimes, while lower in absolute numbers, showed a mixed picture: criminal damage and arson rose sharply, while shoplifting and vehicle crime remained well below UK averages. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced these patterns, as reduced foot traffic in retail areas could have shifted the focus of criminal activity towards other targets. The lower property crime rates, particularly in categories like shoplifting and vehicle crime, are consistent with the area's rural character, where fewer commercial hubs and limited public transport infrastructure may limit opportunities for such offences. However, the increase in criminal damage and arson suggests that local environmental factors, such as the presence of isolated properties or seasonal neglect, could be contributing to this trend. The overall crime rate, while modest, reflects a balance between violent and property-related incidents, with the latter being less prevalent than in many urban centres. This profile positions Forest of Dean as a relatively safe area compared to the UK average, though targeted efforts to address rising categories like criminal damage may be necessary to maintain this status.

February 2025 saw a dramatic 171.4% increase in shoplifting, jumping from 7 to 19 incidents—a sharp contrast to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, where Forest of Dean's rate stood at 0.2 per 1,000. This spike, though not reflected in the overall crime rate, may be linked to seasonal factors such as post-holiday retail activity or targeted retail theft in local centres. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose by 70%, from 20 to 34 cases, a trend that diverges from the UK average, which saw a 17% decrease in the same category. This could indicate a localised issue, tied to the area's rural character and the vulnerability of isolated properties. Conversely, robbery fell by 66.7%, from 6 to 2 incidents—a decline that may reflect effective local policing or a natural seasonal lull. The breakdown also reveals that violence and sexual offences, at 45% of all crimes, remain the most prevalent category, a rate matching the UK average of 2.4 per 1,000, but with a higher proportion of violent crime than the national mix.

Forest of Dean's crime rate in February 2025 rose by 2.9% compared to January's 5.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a slight upward trend. While this increase is modest, it reflects a local shift in patterns rather than a dramatic surge. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 17 crimes per day during the month, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents in a way that aligns with local rhythms. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 185 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low overall risk compared to national averages. This figure is particularly meaningful for residents, as it translates abstract statistics into tangible terms—suggesting that the likelihood of encountering crime in any given month is significantly lower than the national context. The population-scaled perspective also highlights how the area's smaller size and community structure may contribute to a more manageable crime environment, even as specific categories like shoplifting show sharp increases.