Forest of Dean Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile in Forest of Dean during September 2025, accounting for 42.2% of all reported incidents. This category, with a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents, remained 22% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a consistent trend that may reflect the area’s rural character and lower population density. The overall crime rate for the month stood at 4.7 per 1,000, 36.5% below the national average of 7.4 per 1,000, a figure that underscores the Forest of Dean’s generally safer environment compared to the UK as a whole. Anti-social behaviour followed as the second most common category, contributing 20.6% of total crimes, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000—15% below the UK average. These patterns may be influenced by the area’s unique blend of rural and semi-urban landscapes, where community cohesion and limited nightlife contribute to lower rates of disorderly conduct. The seasonal context of September, marked by the return of students to local educational institutions and the onset of shorter evenings, likely played a role in shaping the crime mix. While violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, their lower-than-UK-average rate suggests that the area’s socio-economic and geographic factors may act as mitigating influences. The drop in public order offences by 44% compared to the UK average further illustrates the Forest of Dean’s distinct crime picture, which appears to be shaped by a combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and the absence of high-density urban centres.

September 2025 saw a marked increase in bicycle theft, with four reported cases—up 100% from zero in the previous month. This surge may be linked to the return of students and the start of the academic year, which often coincides with an uptick in cycling activity. Concurrently, drug-related crimes rose by 75%, from four to seven incidents, a change that may reflect seasonal shifts in social patterns. Burglary also increased by 41.7%, from 12 to 17 cases, influenced by the same factors affecting other property crimes. Conversely, public order offences fell by 36.8%, likely due to the quieter evenings associated with the transition from summer to autumn. Anti-social behaviour also declined by 34.8%, a trend that could be tied to the structured routines of the academic calendar. The rate of violence and sexual offences (2.0 per 1,000) remained 22% below the UK average, highlighting the area’s relatively lower incidence of such crimes compared to the national context.

Forest of Dean’s September 2025 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 17.7% decline from the previous month’s 5.7 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with the local context of shorter evenings and the start of the academic year, which may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 14 crimes per day, a figure that, while manageable, underscores the need for continued vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 215 residents, a statistic that, when contextualised against the local population of 89,753, illustrates a relatively low level of exposure compared to national averages. The drop in anti-social behaviour and public order offences by 34.8% and 36.8% respectively may reflect the settling-in period of students and the reduced foot traffic typical of late summer. These trends, while encouraging, should be viewed in conjunction with the rise in bicycle theft and drug-related incidents, suggesting shifting patterns that require targeted attention.