Ruardean Crime Rate

Ruardean is a safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 54.0 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This high level of safety is reflected in its safety score of 86/100, which is well above the UK average of 78. The area is currently seeing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 22.8% year-over-year. Property crime is particularly low in Ruardean, recorded at just 6.9 per 1,000 people, which is a fraction of the national average of 32.9. These figures suggest a secure environment for residents, with a low risk of property-related offences. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of the crime breakdown and temporal patterns in Ruardean.

Crime in Ruardean

Ruardean's crime profile is primarily composed of violence and sexual offences, which account for 51.3% of all recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common type at 19.2%, followed by a tie between drugs, other theft, other crime, and public order, each at 5.1%. These figures suggest that interpersonal issues and social disturbances are the main drivers of local crime statistics.

Property crime in Ruardean is exceptionally low, with a rate of just 6.9 per 1,000 residents. This is far below the UK average and indicates a very secure environment for homeowners. Within this category, other theft (5.1%) and criminal damage (3.9%) are the most frequent, while burglary (2.6%) and vehicle crime (1.3%) are very rare. For residents, this means that while the general risk to property is low, maintaining basic security and being aware of social-related incidents in the community are the primary safety considerations.

Ruardean is currently experiencing a significant downward trend in criminal activity, with a year-over-year decrease of 22.8%. Monthly data from 2024 and 2025 shows several months with very low crime rates, such as July 2025 (0.7 per 1,000) and December 2024 (2.1 per 1,000). While there was a notable peak in October 2025 at 9.0 per 1,000, the overall trajectory remains positive. The low rates recorded in May and September 2025 (both 2.1) further reinforce this declining trend. This reduction in crime suggests that Ruardean is becoming an increasingly secure settlement, with the most recent spike in October being an outlier in an otherwise improving safety landscape.

How To Keep Safe in Ruardean

The most common crime in Ruardean is violence and sexual offences. While the actual number of incidents is low, personal safety remains a priority for the community. You can enhance your safety by following these actionable tips:

• When walking in the area at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid using isolated paths or shortcuts.
• Be aware of your surroundings and try to travel with a friend or family member when possible, especially during late hours.
• Ensure your home's entry points are well-illuminated with motion-sensor lighting to discourage loitering near your property.
• Report any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to local authorities promptly to help maintain the area's declining crime trend.
• Keep personal valuables out of sight when in public spaces to avoid attracting unwanted attention, even in this low-crime area.

Crime in Ruardean exhibits specific temporal patterns that residents should be aware of. Theft is most prevalent during the daylight hours, making up 57% of morning activity (6am - 12pm) and 58% of afternoon activity (12pm - 6pm), suggesting opportunistic crimes during peak hours. As the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts; the evening period (6pm - 12am) is dominated by "other" crime types, including anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 41% of activity. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees the highest concentration of property-related risks, with burglary reaching its peak at 30% and vehicle crime at 24% of period activity. This indicates that while daytime is busier for general theft, the late-night hours are the primary time for targeted property offences.

When compared to similar areas in the Forest of Dean local authority, Ruardean offers a strong safety profile. Its crime rate of 54.0 is much lower than Drybrook (92.9) and Mitcheldean (82.5). While it has a higher rate than the neighbouring Ruardean Woodside (24.9), it is more secure than Welsh Bicknor (40.9). For those considering the region, Ruardean stands out as a safer alternative to the busier local hubs, benefiting from a significant downward trend in criminal activity over the past year. This makes it one of the more secure urban settlements for both current and prospective residents.

Despite Ruardean's low property crime rate, the 22.8% decrease in overall crime shows that proactive measures are working. Traditional security systems like doorbell cameras or standard CCTV only provide evidence after a crime has occurred. For homeowners who want to maintain the area's high safety standards, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative designed to prevent crime entirely.

The scOS operating system monitors all your cameras simultaneously, using AI to identify potential threats at the boundary of your property. It learns your daily routines and can distinguish between regular visitors and suspicious loitering. If a genuine threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights and speakers, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In a quiet area like Ruardean, where a visible deterrent is highly effective, scOS ensures that your home remains a hard target, protecting your property before an intruder can even attempt entry.