Lydney Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 133 residents in Lydney, one reported crime occurred during May 2024. This translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1-in-133, placing the built-up area within the Forest of Dean 10.7% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000 residents. The most prevalent crime category was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 31.5% of all incidents, with a rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents — 66% above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences followed closely at 2.4 per 1,000 (31.5% of total), a figure 15% below the UK rate of 2.8 per 1,000. The seasonal context of May, with its extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising, may partly explain the elevated anti-social behaviour rates. While property crime accounted for 27% of all incidents (20 cases), the most significant deviation from the UK average was in criminal damage and arson, which occurred at 0.7 per 1,000 (9.6% of total) — 13% above the national rate of 0.6 per 1,000. This pattern suggests a combination of local community dynamics and the broader socio-economic factors influencing crime in rural-adjacent built-up areas.

May 2024 saw a 76.9% increase in anti-social behaviour incidents, rising from 13 to 23 cases — a shift that could reflect the impact of bank holidays and extended evenings typical of the month. Drug-related crimes also surged by 100%, with one reported incident compared to zero in April, though this remains a small proportion of overall crime (1.4% of total). Conversely, public order offences fell by 60% (from 10 to 4), potentially linked to reduced foot traffic during May's quieter retail period. The balance between property and violent crime shifted slightly, with violent crimes (23 cases) now accounting for 31.5% of all incidents compared to property crimes (27%). This contrasts with the UK average, where property crime typically dominates. Shoplifting incidents dropped by 33.3% (from 3 to 2), though this remains 69% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. The most striking UK comparison was in burglary, which occurred at 0.5 per 1,000 (6.9% of total) — 61% above the national rate of 0.3 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect Lydney's proximity to the Forest of Dean's natural areas, where property crime patterns differ from urban centres.

Lydney's crime rate in May 2024 (7.5 per 1,000) marked a 6.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.0 per 1,000, though it remained consistently below the UK average. Locally, this translated to an average of 2 crimes reported per day across the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the risk for residents in tangible terms. Over the course of the month, the 73 reported crimes meant that 1-in-133 residents experienced a crime — a ratio that, while relatively low, underscores the need for continued community vigilance. When compared to the UK average, Lydney's rate of anti-social behaviour (2.4 per 1,000) was higher, suggesting a unique local challenge in managing public conduct. This contrast with the UK average for vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000 in Lydney vs 0.5 per 1,000 nationally) highlights the area's distinct characteristics, potentially influenced by its built-up nature within a rural landscape. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while Lydney's overall crime rate is lower than the UK average, specific categories like burglary and criminal damage show deviations that warrant attention. These variations reflect the interplay between local geography, community composition, and the broader crime trends observed nationally.