Forest of Dean Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Forest of Dean in July 2025 reveals a distinct balance between violent and non-violent offences, shaped by the area’s semi-rural character and seasonal rhythms. With a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents—26.7% below the UK average—the area continues to demonstrate a lower-than-average incidence of crime, though the types of offences reported differ from national trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 38% of all crimes, a proportion significantly higher than the UK average of 3.0 per 1,000, which suggests that local factors may contribute to this pattern. These violent crimes likely reflect the social dynamics of the area, including the influx of visitors during July’s peak tourism season and the presence of outdoor festivals, which may increase opportunities for such incidents. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, made up almost 30% of all reported crimes, a figure 23% above the UK average, linked to the area’s smaller, closely-knit communities where such conduct may be more visible. In contrast, property-related crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime were far below national averages, with shoplifting at 69% below and vehicle crime at 74% below, due to the area’s limited retail density and lower population density compared to urban centres. The seasonal context of July—characterised by schools being out of session, the height of the tourist season, and numerous festivals—may have influenced the mix of crimes, with increased social interactions contributing to higher rates of violence and anti-social behaviour, while the dispersed nature of the population may have mitigated certain types of property crime. Overall, the data illustrates a community where crime remains relatively low, but the nature of incidents reflects both local characteristics and the influence of summer activities.

July 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with possession of weapons increasing by 400% compared to the previous month, a jump from one to five incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, warrants attention, particularly in light of the area’s generally low levels of violent crime. Robbery also rose by 100%, moving from zero to one reported incident, while drug-related crimes increased by 50%, from four to six. These increases contrast with declines in burglary, which fell by 38.1%, and public order offences, down 13.3%, possibly influenced by the season’s peak tourism and outdoor events. The balance of crime types reveals a mix of concerns: violence and sexual offences remain the most common category, but anti-social behaviour, which is 23% above the UK average, highlights a localised challenge. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime are both 69% and 74% below UK averages, respectively, suggesting that targeted prevention efforts may be effective in specific areas.

Forest of Dean’s July 2025 crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents marks a 5.0% decrease from the previous month’s 6.6, reflecting a slight decline in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 18 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the local community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 159 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when considered alongside the area’s population of 89,753, underscores the relatively low frequency of crime compared to the UK average. This statistic provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, illustrating that while crime is present, it remains a rare occurrence for most individuals. The combination of a modest month-on-month decline and a population-scaled perspective suggests that local efforts to address crime may be having a measurable impact, though further analysis would be needed to confirm sustained trends.