Forest of Dean Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile in Forest of Dean for November 2025, accounting for 43.6% of all reported crimes. This category’s rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents is 26% below the UK average, suggesting a relatively lower incidence of violent crime compared to national trends. Anti-social behaviour follows at 18.4%, with a rate of 0.8 per 1,000—25% below the UK average—while criminal damage and arson contribute 6.8% at 0.3 per 1,000, 43% below the national figure. The overall crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents places Forest of Dean 39.7% below the UK average of 7.3, highlighting a consistently safer environment than most areas. Seasonal factors in November, including Bonfire Night and the onset of darker evenings, may contribute to fluctuations in public order and anti-social behaviour. However, the local context—characterised by a mix of rural and small-town communities—likely plays a role in maintaining lower rates of property crime compared to urban centres. The absence of major retail hubs or nightlife districts may explain the relatively low shoplifting and vehicle crime rates, though Black Friday shopping could have influenced minor spikes. The area’s historical and natural landscape, combined with its smaller population, appears to create a crime profile distinct from larger urban areas, where property and violent crime rates are typically higher.

November 2025 saw a dramatic 250% increase in robbery cases, rising from 2 to 7 incidents. This surge may be linked to heightened foot traffic during Black Friday or opportunistic behaviour in quieter parts of the town. Concurrently, possession of weapons rose by 150%, from 2 to 5 cases, a figure that is 43% above the UK average. While this anomaly requires further analysis, it could reflect seasonal patterns or localized issues. In contrast, burglary rates fell by 50% compared to October, declining from 24 to 12 incidents—a reduction likely influenced by improved security measures or seasonal factors. Vehicle crime also dropped by 44.4%, due to shorter daylight hours reducing opportunities for theft. Public order offences decreased by 27.6%, from 29 to 21, suggesting a possible improvement in community policing or self-regulation. The rate of 'Other crime' in Forest of Dean is 25% above the UK average, though the specific nature of these incidents remains unclear. Residents may find the 75% increase in shoplifting—rising from 8 to 14 cases—particularly relevant, as it indicates a shift in criminal activity towards retail areas during the holiday season.

Forest of Dean’s crime rate in November 2025 (4.4 per 1,000) marks an 11.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.0, continuing a downward trend observed in recent months. This decline is reflected in daily crime statistics, with an average of 13 crimes reported per day in November—a rate that remains significantly lower than the UK average. When contextualized against the local population of 89,753 residents, the monthly exposure to crime is such that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 226 residents. This figure provides a tangible sense of risk for individuals living in the area, though it must be noted that crime rates can fluctuate based on seasonal and environmental factors. The comparison to the UK average underscores Forest of Dean’s relative safety, with its overall rate nearly 40% lower than the national figure. However, certain categories—such as 'Other crime' and 'Possession of weapons'—show deviations above the UK average, indicating localized challenges that may require targeted interventions. The interplay between these figures and the area’s demographic and geographic characteristics, including its rural expanses and smaller communities, suggests that crime prevention strategies tailored to local conditions could further reduce incidents without compromising the area’s unique identity.