Forest of Dean Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean's overall crime rate in January 2025 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 26.8% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure places the district among the safer areas nationally. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 44.7% of all incidents (210 cases), slightly below the UK average for this category (2.5 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 24.0% (113 cases), significantly outpacing the UK rate by 33%. Seasonal factors may partially explain these figures, as January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which can depress outdoor crime rates. However, the persistence of anti-social behaviour suggests ongoing challenges in community engagement or enforcement in certain areas. The low rates of property crimes—particularly burglary (6.0%) and vehicle crime (2.3%)—align with the area's character as a largely rural district with lower population density, though this contrasts with the sharp rise in specific violent crimes that will be explored in the highlights section.

January 2025 saw stark month-on-month increases in robbery (+200%), shoplifting (+133.3%), and burglary (+86.7%), with robbery incidents tripling from two to six cases. These surges, though still low in absolute terms, may reflect post-holiday vulnerabilities, such as unsecured homes during winter breaks or increased alcohol-related incidents in local pubs. Conversely, other theft and criminal damage and arson both declined by 30% and 23.1% respectively, potentially indicating seasonal shifts in criminal opportunity. The district's performance against the UK average reveals mixed outcomes: while violent crime rates (2.3 per 1,000) remain 8% below the UK norm, anti-social behaviour (1.3 per 1,000) is 33% higher, suggesting targeted interventions may be needed in areas with high social interaction. Vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) is 76% below the UK average, consistent with Forest of Dean's lower motor vehicle density compared to urban centres. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with transient populations or limited surveillance, given the sharp rise in robbery and shoplifting.

The crime rate in January 2025 rose 14.9% from 4.6 to 5.2 per 1,000 residents compared to December 2024, despite remaining 26.8% below the UK average. This increase translates to approximately 15 crimes reported daily in Forest of Dean, a figure that may seem high for a rural district but is mitigated by the area's relatively sparse population. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 191 residents, a ratio that highlights the low probability of individual exposure compared to more densely populated regions. However, the sharp rise in robbery and shoplifting—particularly in areas with retail outlets—suggests that targeted prevention measures may be necessary. The daily crime count, while modest, underscores the need for community vigilance, especially during periods of reduced visibility or increased social activity. Forest of Dean's population of 89,753 means that localised spikes in specific crime types can have outsized impacts on residents' perceptions of safety, even as the overall rate remains below national benchmarks.