Forest of Dean Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Forest of Dean’s crime profile in October 2025 reveals a stark contrast between violent and property crime, with the former dominating the overall rate. At 5.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area’s total crime rate is 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a consistent trend reflecting the district’s relatively low-density, rural character. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.8% of all reported crimes, significantly outpacing property crimes, which made up 27.1% of the total (121 incidents). This imbalance suggests a focus on interpersonal conflict and public disorder, possibly linked to the area’s small-town dynamics and seasonal factors. Anti-social behaviour (19.3% share) and criminal damage (7.9% share) further highlight a pattern of disruptive incidents rather than large-scale property theft. October’s darker evenings and Halloween-related activities may have contributed to the prominence of violent and anti-social crimes. The absence of significant property crime spikes—such as burglary or vehicle crime—contrasts with the UK average, where such offences typically feature more prominently. This divergence aligns with Forest of Dean’s rural landscape, where fewer high-footfall retail or commercial areas may reduce opportunities for theft. The seasonal context of October, with clocks going back and reduced daylight, likely amplifies the visibility of violent incidents. Overall, the crime profile underscores a community grappling with localised conflicts rather than systemic property crime trends.

October 2025 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with theft from the person and robbery both increasing by 100% compared to the previous month. These spikes, from zero to one and two incidents respectively, suggest isolated but notable events that could reflect heightened vulnerability during darker evenings or Halloween-related activities. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by 42.9% (14 to 8 incidents), possibly due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas following the clock change. Vehicle crime rose by 63.6% (11 to 18), linked to seasonal travel patterns or increased vehicle movement in rural roads. The violent crime category remained 25% below the UK average, with a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 compared to the national 2.7. This gap, though significant, is consistent with Forest of Dean’s lower population density and limited urban centres. Anti-social behaviour also fell 21% below the UK average (1.0 vs 1.3 per 1,000), a trend that may reflect the area’s community policing efforts or the relatively low presence of nightlife venues. For residents, the 100% increase in robbery and theft from the person highlights the importance of vigilance during October’s shorter days, even if such incidents remain statistically rare.

The crime rate in Forest of Dean rose by 6.9% in October 2025 compared to the previous month’s rate of 4.7 per 1,000, marking a modest upward trend. This increase, however, remains well below the UK average, with the area’s rate still 35.1% lower than the national figure. On a daily basis, 14 crimes were reported each day in October—a rate that, while not alarming, underscores the need for ongoing community vigilance. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 201 residents, a figure that, when contextualised against the area’s population of 89,753, suggests a manageable level of exposure compared to more densely populated regions. The previous month’s rate of 4.7 per 1,000 indicates a seasonal fluctuation that may be tied to October’s transition into darker evenings and the Halloween period. While the increase in violent crimes and the stability of property crime rates suggest no immediate crisis, the 6.9% rise serves as a reminder that even low-crime areas can experience short-term variations. For local residents, the 1-in-201 monthly exposure figure provides a tangible benchmark for assessing risk, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average. The comparison also highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in maintaining a crime rate that is consistently below national benchmarks.